Mount Vernon NY vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 7.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 60.4% | 29.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 8.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $52,671 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $34,792 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 19.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 28.9% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 41.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.7% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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