Mount Vernon NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mount Vernon
72,528
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 23.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 60.4% | 12.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $67,544 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $35,825 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 19.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 34.1% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 35.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 19.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.1% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.5% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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