Burlington vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Franklin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.1%, with Burlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $88,347 in Franklin.
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 $88,347 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $63,669 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $750,000. The $370,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $475/month in Franklin. Franklin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $388 in Franklin. 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 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 91 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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