Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 44,649 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 7.4% | 3.7% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 3.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Burlington
60.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $68,854 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $39,027 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,829 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 60.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $510,361 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 39.8% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Burlington
23.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Burlington
9.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 23.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 6.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 36.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA