Mount Vernon NY vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 13.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 60.4% | 7.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 16.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 41.6% | Mount Vernon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 16.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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