Burlington VT vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 85.8% | 39.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.9% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 43.3% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 344 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1842 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 32.6% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.0% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 49.2°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 37.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 36.5 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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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