Mount Vernon NY vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 16.2% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 60.4% | 2.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 16.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $720,443 | Mount Vernon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 41.2% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 16.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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