Burlington VT vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 33.5 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 85.8% | 41.5% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $46,628 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $30,451 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.9% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 26.6% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 29.9% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 37.2% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 434 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1736 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 38.0% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 14.3% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.6% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 48.2°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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