Barre, VT vs South Burlington, VT

The cost of living difference between Barre, VT and South Burlington, VT is dramatic. Barre is 32.7% cheaper than South Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barre has a cost index of 82 while South Burlington sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Barre is $986/month compared to $1,755/month in South Burlington — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barre is more affordable at $200,100 median vs $399,600.

Median household income in Barre is $53,288 compared to $97,229 in South Burlington (-45.2%). While South Burlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barre spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in South Burlington.