Burlington VT vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Burlington
85.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 85.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Grand Island
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Grand Island
1960
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 294 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1960 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Grand Island
19.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 41.5% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 17.5% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.8% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Grand Island
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 50.8°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. 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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