Mount Vernon NY vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 8.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 60.4% | 24.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 17.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $52,512 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $29,511 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 22.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 29.4% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 39.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 20.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.2% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. South Bend 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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