City Comparison

Berlin vs Burlington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Berlin

Germany
83
Very Affordable
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

The Verdict

29.7%

Berlin is 29.7% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Berlin would need approximately $106,627 in Burlington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
98
Berlin
139
Burlington
Groceries
80
Berlin
108
Burlington
Utilities
105
Berlin
115
Burlington
Transportation
95
Berlin
98
Burlington
Healthcare
78
Berlin
116
Burlington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Berlin has the same purchasing power as $106,627 in Burlington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $52,754 in Berlin.

Living in Berlin vs Burlington

Housing Costs

Berlin's housing index of 98 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $380,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Berlin compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 80 in Berlin and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $380/month in Berlin vs $513/month in Burlington. Berlin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1596/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Berlin and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Berlin vs $460 in Burlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Berlin and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $46,000 in Berlin and $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,422 and $43,303 respectively. Berlin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Berlin vs $1,192/month in Burlington. In Berlin, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berlin is 29.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Berlin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,627 in Burlington, based on the cost of living difference.
Berlin's housing index is 98 with median homes at $380,000, while Burlington's is 139 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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