Burlington, VT at a glance
Median household income
$71,109$5,926 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Burlington, VT?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Burlington, VT? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,497 | $17,964 | $59,880 | 25.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,651 | $19,812 | $66,040 | 27.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,140 | $25,680 | $85,600 | 36.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,745 | $32,940 | $109,800 | 46.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,833 | $33,996 | $113,320 | 47.8% |
What a typical income covers in Burlington, VT
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $71,109 a year ($5,926 a month before tax).
What $71,109 leaves after Vermont taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Vermont tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Vermont
Living in Burlington, VT: common questions
What is the median household income in Burlington, VT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Burlington, VT is $71,109 per year (approximately $5,926 per month).
What is the average rent in Burlington, VT?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,497 for a studio, $1,651 for one bedroom, $2,140 for two, $2,745 for three and $2,833 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Burlington, VT expensive to live in?
Prices there run 0.9% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 100.9, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Burlington, VT?
To keep a $2,140 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $85,600 a year, or $7,133 a month. That is 120% of what the typical household in Burlington, VT earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Burlington, VT?
On the local median income of $71,109 ($5,926 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,963 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,778 for everything else and $1,185 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,140 takes 72% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Burlington, VT?
Homes in Vermont paid 24.4¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $220. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.