Mount Vernon NY vs Norfolk VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 7.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 60.4% | 39.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 9.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $64,017 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $37,433 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 17.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 32.7% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 39.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 19.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.7% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
Compare More Cities
Mount Vernon, NY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mount Vernon, NYChicago, IL vs Mount Vernon, NYHouston, TX vs Mount Vernon, NYMount Vernon, NY vs Phoenix, AZMount Vernon, NY vs Philadelphia, PA