Burlington VT vs Syracuse 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 31.9 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 85.8% | 51.9% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $45,845 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $27,570 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.4% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 29.6% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 30.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Syracuse
41.3%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 41.3% | Syracuse + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, 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 +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 41.5% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.7% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.8% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.7% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.1% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 49.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.5 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, 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
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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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