Burlington VT vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 85.8% | 53.6% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $62,995 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $36,194 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,697 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.2% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 34.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 370 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1719 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.8 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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