Burlington VT vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 32.4 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 85.8% | 44.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $64,017 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $37,433 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 32.7% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Norfolk
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 240 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1726 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 39.9% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.7% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 60.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 50.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. 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%.
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