Burlington VT vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.3 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 85.8% | 52.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $35,820 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 25.0% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 344 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1842 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Joliet
19.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 41.9% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.7% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 50.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 36.8 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.7 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. 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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