Burlington VT vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.5 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 85.8% | 61.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $871,599 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, 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%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.1% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 52.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 37.5 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.8 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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