Mount Vernon NY vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 14.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 60.4% | 39.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 15.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $60,698 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $37,669 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 22.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 34.6% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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