Burlington vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 49.4% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $50,212 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $50,212 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $112,025 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $162,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $470/month in Montgomery. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 78 in Montgomery. 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 $51,098 in Burlington and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases