City Comparison

Burlington vs Murrieta

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Murrieta

California
131
Expensive
$640,000
Median Home
$2,450/mo
Median Rent
$114,100
Median Income

The Verdict

9.9%

Living in Burlington costs 9.9% less than Murrieta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $83,263 in Murrieta.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
179
Murrieta
Groceries
108
Burlington
115
Murrieta
Utilities
115
Burlington
91
Murrieta
Transportation
98
Burlington
136
Murrieta
Healthcare
116
Burlington
104
Murrieta

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $83,263 in Murrieta.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murrieta equals $67,557 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Murrieta

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Murrieta's 179, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $640,000. The $260,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $2,450/mo in Murrieta, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 115 in Murrieta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $546/month in Murrieta. Burlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 91 in Murrieta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $364 in Murrieta. 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 104 in Murrieta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $114,100 in Murrieta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $87,099 respectively. Murrieta 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 $2,662/month in Murrieta. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Murrieta, median rent of $2,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Burlington is 9.9% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,263 in Murrieta, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Murrieta's is 179 with median homes at $640,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases