salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,360 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 79 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Burlington?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Burlington
| Size | Burlington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,065 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,053 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,204 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,737 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Burlington overall?
Everyday prices in the Burlington metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Burlington
Life in Burlington
What jobs pay in Burlington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,980 | 13.5% |
| Pharmacist | $130,730 | 13.6% |
| Software Developer | $127,570 | 14.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $118,590 | 15.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $113,200 | 15.7% |
| Lawyer | $102,120 | 17.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,220 | 17.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,210 | 18.3% |
| Operations Manager | $94,250 | 18.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,180 | 21.2% |
| Accountant | $80,320 | 22.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,860 | 22.9% |
| Police Officer | $65,700 | 27.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,450 | 28.1% |
| Plumber | $56,890 | 31.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $56,740 | 31.4% |
| Truck Driver | $56,290 | 31.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $52,450 | 34.0% |
| Electrician | $51,400 | 34.6% |
| Carpenter | $49,280 | 36.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,750 | 40.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,250 | 41.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,040 | 43.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,090 | 45.6% |
| Firefighter | $36,520 | 48.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $32,830 | 54.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,630 | 60.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,330 | 60.7% |
| Cashier | $28,690 | 62.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Burlington?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $102 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $199,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,920 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Burlington, NC?
Renting in Burlington costs a median of about $1,484 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Burlington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,360 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Burlington cheap or expensive?
Burlington is rated OK: rent takes 29.0% of the typical household income of $61,345. It ranks 79th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Burlington?
The median homeowner in Burlington pays $1,489 a year in property taxes, about 0.75% of the median home value.
Is Burlington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% 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 $199,200, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
59,610 people live in Burlington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.