Burlington VT vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.3 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 85.8% | 63.5% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 3.2% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $62,696 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 35.7% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $570,934 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 460 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2417 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 28.4% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.0% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.8% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 53.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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