Burlington VT vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 29.9 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 85.8% | 60.1% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $59,120 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 49.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 450 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2150 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 27.2% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.2% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.7% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 71.3°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. 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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