Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 44,649 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 7.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 3.3% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Burlington
60.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $68,854 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $39,027 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,829 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 23.0% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 60.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $510,361 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 39.8% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Burlington
23.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Burlington
9.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 23.1% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.3% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.1% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.5% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 36.8 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. 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, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA