Burlington VT vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 35.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 85.8% | 30.4% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.5% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $2,144,024 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.3% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, 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 +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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