Burlington vs Portland
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Burlington
Portland
💡 The Verdict
Burlington and Portland have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Vermont salaries · Maine salaries
Living in Burlington vs Portland
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Burlington has a housing index of 139 while Portland sits at 137 (national average = 100). The median home in Burlington costs $380,000 compared to $395,000 in Portland, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Burlington versus $1,700 in Portland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Burlington scores 108 while Portland scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Burlington (116) are higher than Portland (110).
Median household income in Burlington is $51,098 compared to $56,895 in Portland. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Burlington vs Portland
If you are considering a move between Burlington (index: 118) and Portland (index: 117), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Portland is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Burlington can afford $1,192/month, while the median household in Portland can afford $1,328/month. With median homes at $380,000 in Burlington versus $395,000 in Portland, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,800/month in Burlington and $1,700/month in Portland, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Burlington (118) vs Portland (117)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Burlington at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Portland at 117 is 17% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,800/month in Burlington and $1,700/month in Portland, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $15,000 difference in median home prices between Burlington and Portland translates to roughly $900 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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