Burlington VT vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 39.8 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 85.8% | 60.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $59,120 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $629,864 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 398 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1999 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 25.3% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 59.4°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 46.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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