Athens vs Burlington

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $100,568 in Burlington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $55,932 in Athens.

Living in Athens vs Burlington

Housing Costs

Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $380,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens vs $513/month in Burlington. Athens offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Athens and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $460 in Burlington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,700 in Athens and $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 and $43,303 respectively. Athens residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,192/month in Burlington. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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