CostIndexUSA

Burlington, VT vs Columbia, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VT
Burlington
100.9
overall index
$2,150/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Columbia
89.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Burlington — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $70,900 in Columbia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing33.3%
Burlington
103.8
Columbia
69.2
🛒 Groceries3.2%
Burlington
97.3
Columbia
94.2
🚗 Transportation8.4%
Burlington
106.7
Columbia
97.7
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Burlington
96.5
Columbia
88.4
Utilities31.5%
Burlington
125.6
Columbia
86

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Burlington to see what you'd need to earn in Columbia to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Columbia, MO
$70,900
$9,100 less needed in Columbia

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.8860. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Burlington, VT

Median Home Price
$459,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,150
Housing Index
103.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price
$308,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
69.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Burlington has 33.3% lower housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Burlington, VT

Median Household Income
$95,500
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
44,743
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyTourismFinance

Columbia, MO

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
126,254
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Burlington, VT
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Columbia, MO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.