Burlington, NC vs Matthews, NC

The cost of living difference between Burlington, NC and Matthews, NC is dramatic. Burlington is 32.9% cheaper than Matthews, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 79 while Matthews sits at 118, 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 Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,670/month in Matthews — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $406,800.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $105,579 in Matthews (-48%). While Matthews is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Matthews.