Living in Burlington, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Burlington · Census data 2020–2024
Burlington has 59,610 residents with a median age of 40.1. The median household income is $56,880 (21% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $199,200, the median rent is $1,051/month.
Burlington at a glance
- Population
- 59,610
- Median age
- 40.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $56,880State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $199,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,051/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 53.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.6%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Burlington a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Burlington
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Burlington the median home value is $199,200, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,051 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,404 a month in housing costs.
Burlington median household income
The median household income in Burlington is $56,880 and the income per person is $33,214. 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Burlington: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 27,762
- Owner-occupied
- 53.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 46.2%
- Vacant
- 8.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.31
Burlington demographics
- Population
- 59,610
- Median age
- 40.1
- Under 18
- 23.5%
- 65 and older
- 18%
- Households
- 25,505
- Foreign-born
- 13.7%
- Veterans
- 7.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Burlington ›
Education in Burlington
29.6% of adults 25 and older in Burlington have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Burlington
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 9.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.9%
Burlington vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | $1,051 |
| Elon | 11,032 | $84,773 | $366,300 | $2,080 |
| Glen Raven | 3,506 | $63,173 | $224,000 | $743 |
| Alamance | 1,267 | $99,375 | $407,300 | $1,156 |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | $298,000 | $1,034 |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | $233,800 | $1,071 |
| Whitsett | 569 | $83,393 | $213,000 | $1,167 |
| Haw River | 2,824 | $61,058 | $162,400 | $1,258 |
| Ossipee | 795 | $70,417 | $125,700 | $1,094 |
More for people moving to Burlington
Burlington ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Burlington: FAQ
What is the median household income in Burlington, NC?
The median household income in Burlington is $56,880, 21% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Burlington?
The median home value in Burlington is $199,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Burlington?
The median gross rent in Burlington is $1,051 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Burlington, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
What is the median age in Burlington?
The median age in Burlington is 40.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Burlington?
The average commute to work in Burlington is 24 minutes; 9.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Burlington?
The unemployment rate in Burlington is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Burlington?
29.6% of adults in Burlington have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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