Burlington VT vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Cambridge
30.5
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 30.5 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 85.8% | 57.5% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.9% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $1,041,988 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 33.7% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Cambridge
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 326 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Cambridge
5.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 5.9% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.5% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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