Burlington VT vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 38.6 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 85.8% | 70.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $63,691 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 53.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $538,687 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 355 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 3001 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 28.5% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.9% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.1% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 51.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 78.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.5 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. 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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