Burlington, VT vs South Burlington, VT

Burlington, VT and South Burlington, VT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Burlington scores 117 while South Burlington scores 121 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 $1,609/month compared to $1,755/month in South Burlington — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Burlington has cheaper rent, South Burlington actually has lower median home values ($399,600 vs $400,200).

Median household income in Burlington is $68,854 compared to $97,229 in South Burlington (-29.2%). 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 Burlington spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in South Burlington.