Burrow into Burlington! The town was first settled by English colonists in 1641. The community was first incorporated in 1799. Burlington may have gotten its name from the English town of Bridlington. Burlington, at first, was an agricultural town that made its money by selling crops to people living in Boston. After Route 128 was built, the town changed to become a retail and commercial hub.
Burlington’s motto is “Where Technology Goes to Work,” and its nicknames are “Burly” and “B-Town.” The community is best known for the Burlington Mall MA, and the technology companies with offices in town.
But is Burlington a good place to live? Yes, it’s a great place to live, with delicious restaurants, great shopping destinations, and unique things to do. Yet before you start moving to Burlington, you should learn more about living in Burlington. Here’s what you should know about this special town.
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Where Is Burlington?
Burlington is in Middlesex County, in the Boston metro area. How far is Burlington MA from Boston? It is 14 miles from Burlington to Boston, so some people consider Burlington to be a suburb of Boston. The town borders Bedford, Billerica, Wilmington, Woburn, and Lexington. Burlington is a well-developed suburban community with many winding roads and clusters of homes. North Burlington has many trees, while South Burlington has commercial buildings and highways.
MBTA bus routes 350, 351, and 354 run through Burlington. Route 350 connects to Alewife Station, which is a major rapid transit stop with access to downtown Boston. Route 351 runs through Burlington neighborhoods, while Route 354 runs to State Street in Boston. There are no MBTA train stops in Burlington. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 3 run through Burlington, providing access to cities near Boston and helping with moving to Burlington.
Burlington Population and Demographics
The population of Burlington was 26,370 people in 2020; the population grew by 7.7% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density is 2,244.9 people per square mile. Notable people from Burlington include Amy Poehler, David Lovering, and Roger Cook.
Burlington demographics include:
- 52.0% female, 48.0% male
- Median age: 44
- Racial and ethnic composition: 76.2% White alone, 15.4% Asian alone, 4.9% two or more races, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino alone, 2.1% Black or African American alone, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
- Median household income: $124,755 (roughly 1.4 times the state median)
- Educational attainment: 96.7% of residents aged 25 and older have graduated high school, 59.6% of residents aged 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 21.3%
Burlington is a safe place to live. Here are the FBI crime statistics from 2020:
- Total crime rate: 981 offenses per 100,000 residents (28.0% lower than the state, 58.2% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 152 offenses per 100,000 people (50.8% lower than the state, 60.8% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate: 829 crimes per 100,000 people (21.3% lower than Massachusetts, 57.7% lower than the country)
The Burlington Police Department employs 61 officers at a rate of two officers per 1,000 residents.
Burlington MA Cost of Living
Burlington is in the Boston metro area, so you can use statistics for Boston to estimate the cost of living in Burlington MA. The Boston cost of living index is 153.2; items in Boston cost roughly 53.2% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Boston metro area would need to earn $131,028 a year to cover the cost of living. Is Burlington expensive? Yes, but you can cover the cost of living in Burlington with a high-paying Burlington job.
Burlington real estate is relatively affordable for the Boston area. According to Redfin, the median sales price of houses for sale in Burlington MA is $677,500. According to RentCafe, the average rent of Burlington apartments is $2,724 a month.
Typical Burlington Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $1.50
- 1 pound of beef: $7.00
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $4.00
- Average Burlington utilities per month: $290.40
- 1 movie ticket: $16.50
- 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $120.00
Source: Numbeo
Burlington Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Burlington
Burlington does not have formal neighborhoods, though you can use informal areas to make searching for Burlington MA houses for sale easier. Many homes for sale in Burlington are clustered around the geographic center of town. These homes tend to be recently constructed single family properties with colonial and contemporary architectural styles. Homes for sale in Burlington MA center have at least two bedrooms and bathrooms and cover at least 1,800 square feet of space, providing plenty of space for families.
If you like older homes, look for a house for sale in Burlington MA around Mill Pond. Many homes in the area were built in the mid-20th century in Cape Cod or colonial styles, creating a more quaint aesthetic. Many of these properties have three bedrooms and cover at least 1,600 square feet, so they’re also suitable for families.
You can find apartments in Burlington MA, and homes for rent throughout town. Options for singles and couples include Lord Baron Apartments, which has studio and one-bedroom apartments covering more than 600 square feet for less than $2,000 a month.
Burlington Climate and Weather
Burlington, MA has a humid continental climate with frigid and snowy winters and warm but overcast summers. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 27 degrees and an average low of 20.
Roughly 48% of days every month are mostly cloudy and overcast. Burlington experiences an average of roughly 101 days of precipitation every year, with 37.5 inches of rain and 39.8 inches yearly. You can experience nor’easters and severe snowstorms in the winter. Burlington is also a humid area to live in; roughly 11 days in July and nine days in August every year are muggy or oppressive.
The best month to visit Burlington Massachusetts is September. September is the clearest month of the year, with 62% sunny or partly cloudy days. The average temperature is 63 degrees, so you should be fine wearing a light jacket and carrying an umbrella.
Things to Do in Burlington
You can find numerous unique, affordable, and family-friendly things to do in Burlington MA. Ask a resident what to do in Burlington, and they’ll talk to you about shopping. The Burlington Mall contains more than 170 stores, including Abercrombie & Fitch and J.Crew. You can also visit Used Book Superstore, which offers more than 100,000 used books for sale.
AMC Burlington Cinema 10
AMC Burlington screens blockbuster movies and artisan films in a comfortable setting. AMC offers sensory-friendly films and closed captioning tools, making it a top attraction for people with autism and hearing impairments.
20 South Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803, 781-229-1931
Kings Dining and Entertainment
Kings is an entertainment center with bowling, karaoke, trivia nights, and live music performances. While you’re at the bowling lanes, you can order light food and drinks to share with your family and friends.
52 Second Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803, 781-238-4400
Mary Cummings Park
Mary Cummings Park covers more than 200 acres and contains forests, fields, wetlands, vernal pools, and other natural wonders. You can explore the park using rustic foot trails and take photographs of anything you see.
25 Blanchard Road, Burlington, MA, 01803, 617-635-4505
Additional Things to Do in Burlington Massachusetts
The Burlington Parks & Recreation Department organizes special events in Burlington and takes care of the town’s green spaces. You can use this event calendar to see when educational programs, parties, and musical performances take place.
Burlington Restaurants
The Boston metro area may be best known for clam chowder and frappes. But you can enjoy a range of experiences in restaurants in Burlington MA, including romantic eateries and places to bring clients and visitors.
Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is one of the best Burlington MA restaurants for date nights, client meetings, and adult parties. It is an upscale steakhouse that serves a line of high-quality steaks, seafood dishes, and alcoholic drinks.
10 Wayside Road, Burlington, MA, 01803, 781-805-4130
Pressed Cafe Burlington
Pressed Cafe is one of the newest restaurants in Burlington MA. It is a casual, kid-friendly eatery with Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches, salads, and bowls. You can also order freshly brewed tea and coffee, including seasonal beverages like tahini lattes.
200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803, 781-365-1412
White Coconut
White Coconut is the best Burlington MA restaurant for Asian food. It offers curries, noodles, and meat dishes in a light and casual setting.
211 Middlesex Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803, 781-365-1436
Jobs in Burlington
More than 15,000 people have Burlington jobs; the job market grew by 2% between 2019 and 2020. The largest job sectors are professional services, manufacturing, healthcare, and social assistance. Nearly 16% of residents work in management positions, many of which have opportunities for promotions and pay increases.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Burlington is $92,000, and the average base hourly rate is $26.41. Wages trended up by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2023.
Major employers include Ascend Learning, Nuance Communications, and Lahey Clinic. You can use Indeed to find jobs in Burlington MA, and you can visit the Town of Burlington’s website to find Town of Burlington MA jobs.
Burlington Schools
Burlington Public Schools is the main Burlington school district. 98% of teachers in Burlington MA public schools have at least three years of experience. Burlington High School is the only high school in town, and it has a graduation rate of 98%. The school has several championship athletics teams, including cheerleading and soccer teams.
Private schools in Burlington include Fusion Academy. Fusion offers one-to-one classes that are customized for your child, including art and music courses. Students can participate in more than 80 clubs, such as drama club and student government.
Northeastern University’s Innovation Campus is in Burlington. The campus is technology-centered, and students can work on research projects or perform internships with various technology companies in the Boston area, including Draper Laboratory and Northrup Grumman.
The Burlington Public Library has a collection of more than 270,000 items. It’s also a hub for book groups, kid-friendly events, and club meetings.
Burlington Statistics and Information
- Burlington MA county: Middlesex
- Burlington area: 11.9 square miles
- Burlington zip code: 01803 and 01805
- Burlington area code: 339, 617, and 781
- Burlington elevation: 218 feet
- Burlington time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Burlington: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 18 miles from Burlington
Burlington Map
You can find a house for sale in Burlington MA, fun things to do in Burlington, and the best restaurants in Burlington MA, with this helpful map!
Book your flight to Burlington! The safe and quaint town is a hub for prosperous jobs, exciting attractions, and terrific schools.
Living in Burlington may sound great, but you must figure out moving to Burlington first. Mass Bay Movers employs a team of more than 50 dedicated and professional Burlington movers. Get a free Burlington moving quote by calling 978-587-3775.
