Burlington VT vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 85.8% | 63.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $64,731 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $38,890 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $52,606 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 33.4% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 43.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, 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 +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.2 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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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