City Comparison

Burlington vs Ocala

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Ocala

Florida
87
Below Average
$241,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

35.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 35.6%, with Ocala being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $55,297 in Ocala.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
72
Ocala
Groceries
108
Burlington
98
Ocala
Utilities
115
Burlington
90
Ocala
Transportation
98
Burlington
95
Ocala
Healthcare
116
Burlington
92
Ocala

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $55,297 in Ocala.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ocala equals $101,724 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Ocala

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Ocala's 72, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $241,000. The $139,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,036 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,350/mo in Ocala, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 98 in Ocala. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $466/month in Ocala. Ocala offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 90 in Ocala. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $360 in Ocala. 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 92 in Ocala. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $56,400 in Ocala. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $64,828 respectively. Ocala 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 $1,316/month in Ocala. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Ocala, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocala is 35.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,297 in Ocala, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Ocala's is 72 with median homes at $241,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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