Burlington VT vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 85.8% | 62.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.6% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 55.6% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $541,899 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 512 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 3234 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Denver
7.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.1% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.3% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 25.9% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | 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
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
Compare More Cities
Burlington, VT vs New York, NYBurlington, VT vs Los Angeles, CABurlington, VT vs Chicago, ILBurlington, VT vs Houston, TXBurlington, VT vs Phoenix, AZBurlington, VT vs Philadelphia, PA