| Index | Burlington | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 62 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 94 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Burlington is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Burlington is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 52 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Burlington. The feedback revealed that 69% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 31% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Burlington an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Burlington is 47.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Burlington has a median household income of $68,334, which is 16% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Burlington, the housing index comes in at 37.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Burlington, the transportation index is 0.5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Burlington are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $90,185 | $7,515 | $2,104 | $2,706 |
| Renters | $37,203 | $3,100 | $868 | $1,116 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beaverdale, IA | 918 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Gladstone, IL | 148 | 79 | 20.9% |
| Pontoosuc, IL | 112 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Lomax, IL | 382 | 82 | 18.0% |
| Oquawka, IL | 1,389 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Burlington, IA | 25,653 | 88 | 11.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ardmore, OK | 25,666 | 90 | 9.7% |
| North Laurel, MD | 25,634 | 136 | 35.6% |
| Paris, TX | 25,634 | 85 | 14.5% |
| Muskego, WI | 25,672 | 115 | 15.3% |
| Decatur, GA | 25,677 | 147 | 46.8% |
| Burlington, IA | 25,653 | 88 | 11.8% |
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