Burlington VT vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Tallahassee
28.0
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 28.0 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 85.8% | 50.7% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $55,931 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $35,704 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.5% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 23.2% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 51.0% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 39.5% | Burlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 324 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 34.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.6% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.2% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.2% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 67.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 58.1 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Burlington, VT vs New York, NYBurlington, VT vs Los Angeles, CABurlington, VT vs Chicago, ILBurlington, VT vs Houston, TXBurlington, VT vs Phoenix, AZBurlington, VT vs Philadelphia, PA