Burlington, NC vs Salisbury, NC

Burlington, NC and Salisbury, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Burlington scores 79 while Salisbury scores 83 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,030/month in Salisbury — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Salisbury has cheaper rent, Burlington actually has lower median home values ($188,700 vs $215,200).

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $51,058 in Salisbury (+7.6%). Burlington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Salisbury.