Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Boston
47.8%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 44,649 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 7.2% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 21.5% | 3.7% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.7% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 3.3% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $68,854 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $39,027 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,829 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 23.0% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $510,361 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 39.8% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Burlington
1714
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1714 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.3% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.9% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 19.1% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. 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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