Mount Vernon NY vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Salinas
21.8%
Salinas +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 16.2% | 21.8% | Salinas + |
| Black | 60.4% | 1.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $28,813 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 14.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 15.5% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $751,711 | Mount Vernon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 18.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 22.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while mount Vernon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $579,771. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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