Mount Vernon NY vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 15.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 60.4% | 19.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $67,521 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $34,474 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 22.6% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.5% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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