Burlington VT vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Burlington
44,649
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.1 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 85.8% | 58.0% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $67,544 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $35,825 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 34.1% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 326 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.3% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.7% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 47.9°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 48.1 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | 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 +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.3 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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