salaryBurlington is the largest city in Vermont that we track, with 44,675 residents. Rent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 60.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,200 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Vermont cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Vermont. It is number 10 of 13 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Burlington?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Burlington
| Size | Burlington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,618 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,538 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,960 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,429 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,888 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Burlington overall?
Everyday prices in the Burlington-South Burlington metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $163,560 | 14.2% |
| Pharmacist | $155,540 | 14.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,000 | 17.0% |
| Software Developer | $126,940 | 18.2% |
| Lawyer | $125,190 | 18.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,770 | 22.8% |
| Operations Manager | $98,430 | 23.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,400 | 23.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $98,330 | 23.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,330 | 23.6% |
| Accountant | $82,510 | 28.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,030 | 30.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,920 | 30.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,690 | 31.0% |
| Police Officer | $74,400 | 31.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $68,430 | 33.8% |
| Plumber | $67,450 | 34.3% |
| Electrician | $66,860 | 34.6% |
| Carpenter | $62,790 | 36.9% |
| Truck Driver | $62,460 | 37.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $61,620 | 37.6% |
| Firefighter | $54,990 | 42.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $50,160 | 46.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,190 | 48.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,160 | 49.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,390 | 51.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,790 | 54.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,330 | 62.0% |
| Cashier | $36,880 | 62.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Burlington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,156 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $444,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Burlington, VT?
Renting in Burlington costs a median of about $1,930 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Vermont median is $1,655.
How much do I need to make to live in Burlington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,200 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Burlington cheap or expensive?
Burlington is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.2% of the typical household income of $76,691. It ranks 10th cheapest of 13 Vermont cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Burlington?
The median homeowner in Burlington pays $7,335 a year in property taxes, about 1.65% of the median home value.
Is Burlington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above 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 $444,800, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
44,675 people live in Burlington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.