Cost of Living in Burlington, NC

Homes For Sale In Burlington, NC

An Overview of Cost of Living in Burlington, NC

Knowing the cost of living in Burlington allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Burlington stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Burlington is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Burlington?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 15 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Burlington. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 27% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 73% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Burlington Affordable?

Is Burlington affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Burlington, for instance, where the median home price falls 23.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Burlington flaunting a median household income of $67,164, 17.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Burlington?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Burlington starts at 4.75% and the income tax rates start at 4.75%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Burlington, the utilities index is 5.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Burlington, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Burlington

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Burlington, NC, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Burlington, the median monthly income is $83,459 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,947 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $53,468, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,248 on monthly rental expenses.

North Carolina Sales Tax

North Carolina Income Tax

Goods & Services

Groceries

Health Care

Housing

Transportation

Utilities

Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.