Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
White
Boise
83.6%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 44,649 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| White | 83.6% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 3.3% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Burlington
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $68,854 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $39,027 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 23.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $510,361 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 39.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Burlington
1714
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1714 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Burlington
23.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Burlington
5.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Burlington
9.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 36.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Burlington
20.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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