Burlington VT vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 57,088 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 85.8% | 66.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.1% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 32.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $1,274,801 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 383 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 3409 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Kirkland
6.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | 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 +
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.2 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kirkland. 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, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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