Mount Vernon NY vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 10.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 60.4% | 9.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $63,072 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $35,958 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 15.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 30.9% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 39.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 17.7% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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