Burlington VT vs San Jose CA — 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 38.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 85.8% | 29.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.9% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 46.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $1,452,609 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 503 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2388 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
San Jose
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 23.7% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.1% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.1% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 61.5°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.4 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 503 in San Jose. 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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