Burlington VT vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.9 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 85.8% | 76.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 33.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.9% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 49.2°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 44.6 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.7 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 224 in Burlington. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
Compare More Cities
Burlington, VT vs New York, NYBurlington, VT vs Los Angeles, CABurlington, VT vs Chicago, ILBurlington, VT vs Houston, TXBurlington, VT vs Phoenix, AZBurlington, VT vs Philadelphia, PA