Burlington VT vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.6 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 85.8% | 66.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $63,966 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $36,459 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $61,226 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 29.0% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Des Moines
296
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 296 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 39.4% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.8% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.4% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 49.9°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.1 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. 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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