Mount Vernon NY vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
12.2%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 12.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 60.4% | 1.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $71,900 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $36,477 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 14.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 31.4% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 41.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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