City Comparison

Burlington vs Fort Myers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Fort Myers

Florida
104
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$52,200
Median Income

The Verdict

13.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.5%, with Fort Myers being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $66,102 in Fort Myers.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
112
Fort Myers
Groceries
108
Burlington
104
Fort Myers
Utilities
115
Burlington
101
Fort Myers
Transportation
98
Burlington
103
Fort Myers
Healthcare
116
Burlington
108
Fort Myers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $66,102 in Fort Myers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Myers equals $85,096 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Fort Myers

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Fort Myers's 112, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $340,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,575/mo in Fort Myers, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 104 in Fort Myers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $494/month in Fort Myers. 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 101 in Fort Myers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $404 in Fort Myers. 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 108 in Fort Myers. 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 $52,200 in Fort Myers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $50,192 respectively. Fort Myers 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 $1,218/month in Fort Myers. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Fort Myers, median rent of $1,575/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Myers is 13.5% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,102 in Fort Myers, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Fort Myers's is 112 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases