Mount Vernon, WA vs Palo Alto, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Mount Vernon
67.1
#1463 nationally
Palo Alto
67.4
#1429 nationally
Palo Alto leads in median household income ($214,118 vs $69,227). Palo Alto leads in walk score (61 vs 35). Mount Vernon leads in crime level (5.2 vs 5.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mount Vernon, WA | Palo Alto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1463) | 67.4 (#1429) |
| Population | 35,259 | 65,882 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $592,945 | $3,599,324 |
| Median Household Income | $69,227 | $214,118 |
| Average Commute | 23.7 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 5.2 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+40.0 |
D+
67.1 Score
Mount Vernon, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$592,945
Population
35,259
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
35
Pacific
View Mount Vernon, WA →
D+
67.4 Score
Palo Alto, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$3,599,324
Population
65,882
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Palo Alto, CA →
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