Burlington, VT vs Rutland, VT

The cost of living difference between Burlington, VT and Rutland, VT is dramatic. Rutland is 49.3% cheaper than Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 117 while Rutland sits at 78, 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 $1,609/month compared to $942/month in Rutland — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rutland is more affordable at $176,400 median vs $400,200.

Median household income in Burlington is $68,854 compared to $55,000 in Rutland (+25.2%). The higher salaries in Burlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Rutland.