Mount Vernon 69 Good
Mount Vernon Livability #413 ranked city in Illinois#8,520 ranked city in the USARanks better than 70% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Mount Vernon

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 15,250 people. According to the most recent Census, 76% of Mount Vernon residents are White, 15% Black and 2% Asian. Mount Vernon is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Mount Vernon offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 14 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Mount Vernon is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Mount Vernon and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

The livability score in Mount Vernon is 67 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 67th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the scores for each individual category, Mount Vernon has been rewarded with high marks for housing (A+). Unfortunately for Mount Vernon, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Mount Vernon can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Mount Vernon meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Mount Vernon. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Mount Vernon are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Mount Vernon come in at $142,537, which is 53.8% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Mount Vernon, the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 34.3% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mount Vernon

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Compare Mount Vernon, IL Livability

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      Mount Vernon transportation information

      Statistic Mount Vernon Illinois National
      Average one way commute14min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.2%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.2%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home1.7%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Mount Vernon, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.