Cost of Living Comparison for Burlington, VT
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Burlington's cost of living index is 118 — 18% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Burlington Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Burlington stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Burlington, VT | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $440,000 | $420,800 | +4.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,938 | $1,713 | +13.1% |
| Median Household Income | $65,800 | $74,580 | -11.8% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.90% | 1.10% | +72.7% |
| Cost of Living Index | 118 | 100 | +18.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Burlington Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 230,000
- Unemployment
- 2.7%
- Avg Commute
- 20 min
- Median Age
- 35.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 18.9x
- Annual Property Tax
- $8,360
Frequently Asked Questions — Burlington
What is the median home price in Burlington, VT?
The median home price in Burlington is $440,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Burlington?
Median monthly rent in Burlington is $1,938. That works out to $23,256/year, or 35% of the median household income — above the recommended 30% threshold.
Is Burlington affordable?
Burlington's cost of living index is 118 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $65,800/year and a median home price of $440,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.7x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Burlington household.
What is the property tax rate in Burlington?
The effective property tax rate in Burlington is 1.90% of assessed value. On the median home of $440,000, that's roughly $8,360/year ($697/month).