salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,600 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 27 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Burlington?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Burlington
| Size | Burlington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $584 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $686 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,099 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,234 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,620 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Burlington overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Burlington, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Burlington
Life in Burlington
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Burlington?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $147 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $114,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,430 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Burlington, IA?
Renting in Burlington costs a median of about $940 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Burlington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,600 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Burlington cheap or expensive?
Burlington is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.7% of the typical household income of $63,632. It ranks 27th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Burlington?
The median homeowner in Burlington pays $1,874 a year in property taxes, about 1.64% of the median home value.
Is Burlington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Burlington?
The median home value in Burlington is $114,300, about 1.8 times the typical yearly household income.
23,728 people live in Burlington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.