Mount Vernon NY vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Mount Vernon +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Portland
11.1%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 68,505 | Mount Vernon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 11.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 60.4% | 9.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 3.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $76,174 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,587 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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