Burlington VT vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Burlington +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.5 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 85.8% | 80.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 3.1% | Burlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $61,587 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 59.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $561,069 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 27.7% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.3% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 46.5°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 47.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 224 in Burlington. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland 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%.
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