Mount Vernon NY vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 60.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 37.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 28.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.4% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | 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
Mount Vernon +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. 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%.
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