City Comparison

Burlington vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

19.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.7%, with Burlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $93,432 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
210
Concord
Groceries
108
Burlington
112
Concord
Utilities
115
Burlington
147
Concord
Transportation
98
Burlington
137
Concord
Healthcare
116
Burlington
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $93,432 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $60,204 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Concord

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $680,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $532/month in Concord. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $588 in Concord. 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 116 in Burlington and 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $74,150 respectively. Concord residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,543/month in Concord. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Burlington is 19.7% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,432 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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