Burlington VT vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Columbia
29.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 29.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 85.8% | 74.3% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $64,488 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $37,359 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,527 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 56.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 501 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2418 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 30.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.4% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 56.0°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 +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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