Burlington VT vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 40.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 85.8% | 44.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.5% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 37.6% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 324 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 29.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 13.7% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 16.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 75.4°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 62.3 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, 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
Burlington +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in West Palm Beach. 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