| Index | Burlington | Vermont | National |
| Cost of living | 121 | 108 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 158 | 114 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 103 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Burlington? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Burlington stands at 121, making it 21% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Burlington is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Burlington falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Burlington cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 58% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 14 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Burlington and this is how they responded. 43% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 57% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Burlington is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Burlington, for example, the median home price is 68.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 34% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Burlington boasting a median household income of $81,342, which is 0% equal to the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Burlington, the housing index is 58% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Burlington, the transportation index stands at 6.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The cost of living data for Burlington shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $152,687 | $12,724 | $3,562 | $4,581 |
| Renters | $52,675 | $4,390 | $1,229 | $1,580 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Vermont | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Vermont | 3.35% | 8.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Plattsburgh West, NY | 1,273 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Keeseville, NY | 2,624 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Willsboro, NY | 623 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Plattsburgh, NY | 19,892 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Peru, NY | 1,592 | 101 | 0.5% |
| Burlington, VT | 44,321 | 121 | 21.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sherman, TX | 44,313 | 92 | 7.5% |
| Innisfil, ON | 44,305 | n/a | |
| Farmers Branch, TX | 44,287 | 106 | 5.9% |
| Altadena, CA | 44,242 | 189 | 88.7% |
| Ormond Beach, FL | 44,412 | 108 | 8.5% |
| Burlington, VT | 44,321 | 121 | 21.1% |
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