Burlington VT vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 31.8 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 85.8% | 73.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $61,837 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 59.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 309 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 32.7% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.8% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 46.7°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 37.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.2 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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