Rutland, VT vs South Burlington, VT

The cost of living difference between Rutland, VT and South Burlington, VT is dramatic. Rutland is 35.4% cheaper than South Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Rutland has a cost index of 78 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 Rutland is $942/month compared to $1,755/month in South Burlington — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rutland is more affordable at $176,400 median vs $399,600.

Median household income in Rutland is $55,000 compared to $97,229 in South Burlington (-43.4%). 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 Rutland spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in South Burlington.