Burlington VT vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 33.4 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 85.8% | 26.4% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.3% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $45,300 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $27,319 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 10.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 25.5% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 18.3% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 25.8% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 40.4% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 15.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.8% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 20.3% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.3% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 50.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.9 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 224 in Burlington. 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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