Burlington VT vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 85.8% | 69.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $67,631 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $52,606 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 47.3% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 55.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.2 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.5 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 224 in Burlington. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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