Burlington VT vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.9% | Burlington + |
| White | 85.8% | 11.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $39,575 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $24,029 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,052 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 14.1% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 31.5% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 17.6% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 471 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 45.6% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 19.2% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 22.6% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 21.8% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 50.3°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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