Mount Vernon NY vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 60.4% | 22.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 4.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $64,137 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 19.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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