Hempstead, NY vs Mount Vernon, NY

Hempstead, NY and Mount Vernon, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Hempstead scores 126 while Mount Vernon scores 123 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hempstead is $1,649/month compared to $1,546/month in Mount Vernon — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Hempstead actually has lower median home values ($442,100 vs $449,600).

Median household income in Hempstead is $82,454 compared to $77,171 in Mount Vernon (+6.8%). While Hempstead is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hempstead spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in Mount Vernon.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.3°F vs 56.7°F). Mount Vernon receives more rainfall at 45.3" per year compared to 43.3" in Hempstead.