Burlington VT vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 29.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 85.8% | 54.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $51,468 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $28,819 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $63,758 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 24.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 28.6% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 442 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 2339 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 36.8% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 13.0% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.4% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 20.4% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 66.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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