Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Pawtucket
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Pawtucket.
| Metric | Burlington | Pawtucket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $1,788 | -9% |
| Groceries | $330 | $400 | -18% |
| Utilities | $111 | $180 | -38% |
| Transport | $72 | $90 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $250 | -72% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $2,708 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pawtucket offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pawtucket delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $55,000 in Pawtucket.
| Metric | Burlington | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $66,498 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 69,998 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $68,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pawtucket has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Pawtucket scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pawtucket leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 71.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burlington is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Pawtucket.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pawtucket has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 75,893 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 3.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
Pawtucket
Advantages
Pawtucket is the third most walkable city in Rhode Island, with a Walk Score of 71, making it easy to run errands on foot.
The median household income in Pawtucket was $68,310 in 2024, which is competitive within the region.
Pawtucket's cost of living is generally more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.
The city has a rich industrial history and is home to the Slater Mill Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Pawtucket has a growing arts scene and is actively involved in community development programs.
Drawbacks
Pawtucket has a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 307.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Pawtucket was 3.9% as of June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 4.1% in 2024.
Pawtucket's walkability score of 41 indicates a significant car dependency, despite its overall walkability ranking in the state.
While improving, the crime trajectory in Pawtucket is noted as 'improving' based on 5 years of data, suggesting past higher rates.
Pawtucket has a higher poverty rate (13.3%) than the national average (12.5%).
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#6Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
Business
70
Pawtucket
#24Rhode Island, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,788
Avg Salary
$66,498
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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