Pros and Cons of Living in Burlington
Burlington's honest tradeoff is genuinely affordable housing and a real, distinct historic river-town identity, set against a disclosed population decline and elevated crime.
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Learn moreReal advantages
Burlington offers genuinely affordable housing among the most affordable in Iowa's Tier A markets, Iowa's low flat 3.8% state income tax, a real, diversified manufacturing base, a genuine 1837-1840 territorial-capital history, and Snake Alley's real, dated crookedest-street claim.
Real tradeoffs
Burlington's population has genuinely declined since the 2020 Census (~-3.16%); its overall crime rate runs meaningfully above the national rate and higher than 96% of Iowa's own cities per one source; its effective property tax rate (~1.52%) is the highest in Des Moines County; and real, direct Mississippi River flood exposure applies to some properties.
The net read
For buyers prioritizing rock-bottom affordability, a real, distinct historic-tourism identity, or ties to Burlington's manufacturing base, the city's advantages are real and well-documented. For buyers prioritizing the lowest crime rates or a growing population, other Iowa markets in this project may fit better.
Key takeaways
- Real pros: genuine affordability, low state income tax, a diversified manufacturing base, and a real historic identity.
- Real cons: a disclosed population decline, elevated crime, a county-high property tax rate, and river-flood exposure.
- The net read favors affordability-focused and history/river-town-drawn buyers specifically.
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