Burlington VT vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 33.9 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 85.8% | 54.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $52,512 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $29,511 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $58,697 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.0% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 29.4% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 370 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1719 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
South Bend
20.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 39.7% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 15.2% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.6% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 18.2% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 49.8°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.0 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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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