Albany NY vs Burlington VT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 44,649 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 7.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 26.6% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 3.3% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,829 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 23.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $510,361 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 39.8% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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