CostIndexUSA

Burlington, VT vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVT
Burlington
100.9
overall index
$2,150/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Burlington is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $88,100 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+45.8%
Burlington
103.8
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+6.9%
Burlington
97.3
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Burlington
106.7
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+5.2%
Burlington
96.5
Seattle
101.5
Utilities26.1%
Burlington
125.6
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$88,100
$8,100 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.1011. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 45.8% higher housing costs compared to Burlington.

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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.