Burlington VT vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Burlington +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 26,509 | Burlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 38.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.1% | Burlington + |
| White | 85.8% | 82.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 3.6% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 50.3% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 284 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1992 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.4% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.2% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.1% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
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 Philadelphia, PA