Vermont · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in South Burlington, VT

Prices around South Burlington, VT run 0.9% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $106,667 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,140 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $85,600 a year.

South Burlington, VT at a glance

Median household income

$106,667$8,889 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,140HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)100.9+0.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity24.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential VT
Population20,756Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in South Burlington, VT?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,140Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$85,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,667At 30% of $106,667
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in South 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.

HUD Fair Market Rent in South Burlington, VT, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,497$17,964$59,88016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,651$19,812$66,04018.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,140$25,680$85,60024.1%
3-Bedroom Home$2,745$32,940$109,80030.9%
4-Bedroom Home$2,833$33,996$113,32031.9%

Rent in South Burlington, VT, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in South Burlington, VT

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $106,667 a year ($8,889 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,444/moRent ($2,140 2-BR), utilities (~$220/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,667/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,778/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $106,667 leaves after Vermont taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Vermont tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$106,667
$40,000$215,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$106,667
Net 74%
Fed 14%
VT 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$79,290After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,607Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,050Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$14,637 / yr
Vermont state income tax$4,580 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$8,160 / yr

Living in South Burlington, VT: common questions

What is the median household income in South Burlington, VT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in South Burlington, VT is $106,667 per year (approximately $8,889 per month).

What is the average rent in South 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 South 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 South 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 80% of what the typical household in South Burlington, VT earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in South Burlington, VT?

On the local median income of $106,667 ($8,889 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,444 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,667 for everything else and $1,778 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,140 takes 48% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in South 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.