Mount Vernon NY vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 8.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 60.4% | 42.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 10.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $62,671 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 18.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 36.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.9% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and 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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