Burlington VT vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 38.4 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.6% | Burlington + |
| White | 85.8% | 31.6% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $55,339 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $55,297 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.8% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 41.9% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 643 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2824 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Burlington +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 34.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 15.1% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.7% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.7% | Burlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 66.6 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.
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