Burlington VT vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 85.8% | 36.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $60,698 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $37,669 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.4% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 34.6% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 319 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Burlington +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 57.1°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 48.5 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 34.5 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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 San Antonio, TX