Burlington VT vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 85.8% | 35.5% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $29,766 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.1% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 20.1% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 503 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2388 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 30.6% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 62.1°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.0 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. 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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