Mount Vernon NY vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 6.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 60.4% | 4.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $39,604 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 31.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
Compare More Cities
Mount Vernon, NY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mount Vernon, NYChicago, IL vs Mount Vernon, NYHouston, TX vs Mount Vernon, NYMount Vernon, NY vs Phoenix, AZMount Vernon, NY vs Philadelphia, PA