Is Burlington or South Burlington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Burlington is safer than Burlington (Safety Score 5/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,620 per 100,000 versus 4,769 for Burlington — 3% lower. Burlington has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South Burlington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Burlington is 2.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
South Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, VT
South Burlington, VT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | South Burlington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,768.8 | 4,619.7 | +149.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 479.1 | 234.7 | +244.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.3 | 0.0 | +2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 20.2 | 14.1 | +6.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.0 | 28.2 | +25.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 402.7 | 192.5 | +210.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,289.6 | 4,385.0 | -95.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 384.7 | 65.7 | +318.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,716.0 | 3,981.2 | -265.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 189.0 | 338.0 | -149.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or South Burlington safer?
South Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 4,620 per 100K vs 4,769 for Burlington — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 479.1 per 100K while South Burlington has 234.7. South Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, VT
Burlington, Vermont, a city on Lake Champlain, is home to the Ben & Jerry's original ice cream shop. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 44,456, Burlington has a total crime rate of 4,768.8 per 100,000 residents.
About South Burlington, VT
South Burlington, Vermont, a city distinct from its namesake, is home to the University of Vermont Medical Center, a major employer. Situated east of Lake Champlain, it's a populous Chittenden County community. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,300, South Burlington has a total crime rate of 4,619.7 per 100,000 residents.