Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Burlington, Vermont

View of the Burlington Marketplace, a blocks-long pedestrians-only shopping and entertainment street in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
Photo by Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Burlington cost of living

Burlington requires a housing-first retirement budget

Burlington's 2020 to 2024 city medians are $1,649 gross rent, $444,800 owner-occupied value, $2,327 monthly owner costs with a mortgage, and $1,047 without a mortgage. The city owner-occupied rate is 41.5%. These figures describe existing housing stock, not current listings or a complete retiree budget.

Chittenden County's 2023 median primary-home sale price was $450,000. Keep that county measure separate from Burlington city. Add heat, utilities, taxes, insurance, snow, parking, repairs, condo fees, transport, prescriptions, and care before comparing the city with lower-cost markets.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $3,496 gives you the starting point, with housing taking the largest share.

Housing
$1,394
Utilities (in rent)
$289
Food
$603/mo
Transportation
$1,026/mo
Healthcare
$473

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$5,050

Moderate

Cost of Living for Couple
$5,206

Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$1,394

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$224/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Recommended
Property Taxes
High
Overall Feel
Moderate
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
12.3%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
38.7%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
46.3%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$41,915

Could Burlington fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$3,496 per month
Two people
$5,206 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$1,394
Food
$603
Transportation
$1,026
Healthcare
$473

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Burlington in everyday life

Could Burlington work for you?

What may work well

  • City housing medians provide a clear starting point.
  • Some homes can reduce driving and parking needs.
  • Regional care and transit are close to many neighborhoods.

What to think about

  • Housing is not a low-cost strength.
  • Heat, snow, parking, and maintenance can be material.
  • The ACS figures are historical benchmarks, not quotes.

Make a Burlington budget by address

  1. Get current housing quotes

    Record rent or purchase, tax, insurance, heat, utilities, parking, snow, repairs, condo fees, and accessibility.

  2. Add ordinary city costs

    Price groceries, meals, transit, car ownership, internet, phone, recreation, household help, and winter clothing.

  3. Add care and visitors

    Price UVM, specialists, prescriptions, parking, companions, family visits, travel, and post-care support.

  4. Keep a winter reserve

    Allow for outages, heating repairs, snow, ice, temporary rides, home access, and indoor activity during storms.

Questions retirees ask

Is Burlington affordable for retirees?

It may work for a strong housing budget or an owned home, but the city medians show meaningful cost pressure. Add heat, taxes, insurance, snow, transport, and care.

Are the rent figures current listings?

No. The $1,649 median gross rent is a 2020 to 2024 ACS city estimate. Verify current listings, heat, parking, accessibility, and lease terms.

What costs are easy to miss?

Heating, snow, winter parking, insurance, condo fees, repairs, medical parking, prescriptions, rides, and family travel.

Should Chittenden County prices be used for Burlington?

They can provide a labeled county comparison, but county and city housing markets are not identical. Keep each geography visible.

Burlington's cost question starts with housing and winter. Use current quotes, keep city and county figures separate, and include heat, snow, parking, transport, and care before deciding whether the city fits the budget.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.