Mount Vernon NY vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 44,998 | Mount Vernon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 57.8 | Mount Vernon + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 17.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 60.4% | 5.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $71,979 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 13.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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