Burlington VT vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 75,721 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.0 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 85.8% | 48.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.2% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $765,686 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 383 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 3409 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 24.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.1% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 53.2°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 40.1 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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