Burlington VT vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 85.8% | 57.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $67,449 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,527 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 37.8% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 501 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2418 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 38.5% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.0% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.6% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 54.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.9 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 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%.
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