Burlington VT vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 85.8% | 28.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 53.1% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $664,939 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 28.8% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 26.2% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.0% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 40.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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