Mount Vernon NY vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 12.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 60.4% | 27.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 10.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $45,845 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $27,570 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 29.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 30.5% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 41.3% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 41.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 20.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Syracuse 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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