Burlington vs Erie
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Erie
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 45.7%, with Erie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $51,483 in Erie.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $51,483 in Erie.
Conversely, $75,000 in Erie equals $109,259 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Erie
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Erie's 55, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $165,000. The $215,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $925/mo in Erie, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Erie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Erie. Erie offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 109 in Erie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $436 in Erie. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 89 in Erie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $43,400 in Erie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $53,580 respectively. Erie 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 $1,013/month in Erie. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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