Burlington, Vermont
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Burlington.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Burlington?
For relocators asking how much Burlington costs: the housing index sits at 126 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $400,200 and rents near $1,609. Local median income is about $68,854 and unemployment recently ran 2.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 18 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 405 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 126U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $400,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,609U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $68,854U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 2.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 18 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 405per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 80°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Burlington compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 44,432City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $68,854Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 126ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $400,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,609City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 2.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20261.9 pts below U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 18 min28% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6851% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 405annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)31% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2583.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)16% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 80°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 16°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals18.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 37.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 208As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals22% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Burlington grew 4.7% from 42,436 in 2010 to 44,432 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Burlington expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Burlington's housing cost index is 126 versus 100 nationally — above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($400,200 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,609 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 126 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $400,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,609 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Burlington?
Typical ownership costs center near $400,200, while median gross rent is about $1,609 a month. Against a median household income of $68,854, rent alone is roughly 28% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $400,200
- Median rent $1,609/month
- Median household income $68,854
What is the job market like in Burlington?
County unemployment recently ran 2.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Burlington is about $68,854 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 2.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $68,854
How long is the typical commute in Burlington?
Average one-way commute time is about 18 minutes, with Walk Score near 68/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 18 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 68/100
Is Burlington safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 405 per 100k and property about 2583.9 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 405 per 100k
- Property 2583.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Burlington?
Normals show summer highs near 80°F, winter lows near 16°F, about 37.5 inches of rain, and roughly 208 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 80°F
- Winter low 16°F
- 37.5 in rain · 208 sunny days
Burlington (pop. 44,432) sits in Vermont. Households here report a median income near $68,854; our housing-derived cost index is about 126 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $400,200 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Green Mountain winters and small-city scale attract a specific relocator. Winter lows around 16°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Commutes average near 18 minutes one-way, with walkability near 68/100. A recent county unemployment reading near 2.3% suggests a relatively tight local labor market. Violent-offense rates near 405 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Burlington is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Burlington with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Burlington city, 1600000US5010675) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Chittenden County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014742 BURLINGTON INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10