Burlington VT vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 33.4 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 85.8% | 80.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 40.9% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 294 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1960 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.6% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 51.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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