Burlington VT vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 85.8% | 59.2% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $45,611 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $30,282 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.8% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 28.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 51.7% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 38.5% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 324 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.2% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 21.3% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 68.9°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 47.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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%.
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