Living in Burlington, VT
Burlington is home to about 44,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 44,019-1.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $444,8006.3 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,649/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $71,109median, per year
- Price level
- 100.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 29° / 82°lows 13° / 62°
- Average commute
- 19 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- 8.75%top rate, graduated
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County: Chittenden County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 200 ft
Metro area: Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Cost of living in Burlington
The median home in Burlington is worth $444,800 and the median household earns $71,109 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,649 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area at 100.9, with housing at 103.8 and goods at 97.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,700 here. Vermont taxes wages at a top rate of 8.75%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Vermont is 6.43%.
What would my salary be worth in Burlington?
Burlington weather
Average highs run from 29°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 13°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 88 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 145 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Burlington
People and work
The median resident is 26.8 years old, and 60% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 19% of workers work from home and 5% take public transit.
- Median age
- 26.811th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 61%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 42%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,27210.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 5%17% walk, 4.9% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 20.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1957median year
Who moves to Burlington, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Cambridge (Middlesex County), Boston (Suffolk County) and Kings County, NY. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Cambridge (Middlesex County), Boston (Suffolk County) and Kings County, NY. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
FEMA rating for Chittenden County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning.
Home prices
+0.8% in a year
Up 49% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
88% good days
4 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Burlington
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Middlebury College 30 miles
- University of Vermont 6 miles
- Champlain College 6 miles
- Community College of Vermont 27 miles
- Norwich University 30 miles
- Saint Michael's College 6 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Burlington
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport BTV | 4 mi | 670,636 |
| Plattsburgh International Airport PBG | 24 mi | 92,960 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Burlington
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont | 6 mi | 11,743 | $20,277 | 81% |
| Champlain College | 6 mi | 2,752 | $39,617 | 61% |
| Saint Michael's College | 6 mi | 1,092 | $29,915 | 71% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Burlington
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 29, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 4 and the first frost comes around October 15.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Burlington Intl. Airport, VT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Burlington.
Wildfire smoke in Burlington
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Burlington on about 99 days a year, including about 26 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Burlington
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 17,504 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Burlington
Downtown Burlington is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain Valley Unified School District | Pre-K to 12 | 4,044 | 5 | 15.5 |
| Champlain Valley Supervisory District | N to N | n/a | 0 | n/a |
Other districts within 10 miles: Essex-Westford Educational Community Unified School District (3,656 students), Burlington School District (3,429 students), South Burlington School District (2,646 students), Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District 401 (2,574 students), Colchester School District (2,463 students), Milton Incorporated School District (1,468 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Burlington's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Burlington's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Ann Arbor, MI79% matchCompare
- Rochester Hills, MI77% matchCompare
- Troy, MI77% matchCompare
- Farmington Hills, MI73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Burlington
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Burlington
- Stowe Mountain Resort 16 miles
- Trapp Family Lodge 17 miles
- Smugglers' Notch 18 miles
- Mad River Glen 18 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Burlington
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
- Data A highly educated city: 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
- Data Low natural hazard risk: FEMA rates Chittenden County relatively low overall.
- Data Clean air: 320 of 365 days in 2025 had good air quality in the metro (EPA).
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 88 inches a year.
Burlington report card from locals
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Cities near Burlington
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, NY | 128 mi | 101,698 | $234,700 | 99.6 | Compare |
| Manchester, NH | 129 mi | 116,818 | $365,600 | 105.7 | Compare |
| Nashua, NH | 141 mi | 92,435 | $403,900 | 105.7 | Compare |
| Portland, ME | 150 mi | 69,911 | $489,600 | 101.9 | Compare |
| Lowell, MA | 153 mi | 119,971 | $429,200 | 108.3 | Compare |
| Lawrence, MA | 154 mi | 89,320 | $415,200 | 108.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Burlington with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Burlington a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow. Compare Burlington side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Burlington?
The Census Bureau estimates Burlington had 44,019 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 44,744 in April 2020 (-1.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Burlington?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,700 in the Burlington area. The median household here earns $71,109.
When is the best time to visit Burlington?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 29°F for daytime highs.
What county is Burlington in?
Burlington is in Chittenden County, Vermont. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Burlington in?
Burlington is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Burlington?
About 200 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Vermont have a state income tax?
Yes. Vermont has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 8.75% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Burlington. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Burlington Intl. Airport, VT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.