State overview · VT
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Vermont? Real data for 1 city, updated July 2026.
| City | Salary needed | Housing / mo | Median salary | Salary gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $108,945 | $2,140 | $60,020 | $48,925 |
Cost of Living in Vermont
Burlington, Vermont's only tracked city, requires $108,843 per year for a comfortable standard of living. That figure runs above the national median of $93,992 by roughly $14,851, making Burlington a notably expensive place to live by national standards. The local median salary sits at $60,020, leaving a gap of $48,823 between what residents typically earn and what a comfortable life actually costs. Someone earning that median wage faces a significant shortfall each year. These numbers reflect Burlington alone and should not be read as a statewide picture.
CityWage currently tracks one city in Vermont, Burlington, which is reflected in the table below. The required annual income for Burlington stands at $108,843.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cost of living in Burlington, VT?
You need about $108,945 per year to live comfortably in Burlington, based on the 50/30/20 budget rule applied to BLS and HUD data.
Does the median salary in Burlington cover the cost of living?
Not on its own. The median local salary of $60,020 falls about $48,925 short of the $108,945 needed to live comfortably.
Is Burlington above or below the national average?
Burlington runs above the national median. It needs $108,945 per year versus the national figure of $92,839.