Burlington VT vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.0 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 85.8% | 44.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $59,183 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $28,059 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $61,860 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 20.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 449 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2174 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 41.2% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 14.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 18.4% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 18.3% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.1 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.7 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Burlington, VT vs New York, NYBurlington, VT vs Los Angeles, CABurlington, VT vs Chicago, ILBurlington, VT vs Houston, TXBurlington, VT vs Phoenix, AZBurlington, VT vs Philadelphia, PA