City Comparison

Burlington vs Singapore

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Singapore

Singapore
112
Above Average
$950,000
Median Home
$2,500/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

The Verdict

5.4%

Singapore is 5.4% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $71,186 in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
165
Singapore
Groceries
108
Burlington
98
Singapore
Utilities
115
Burlington
105
Singapore
Transportation
98
Burlington
95
Singapore
Healthcare
116
Burlington
72
Singapore

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $71,186 in Singapore.

Conversely, $75,000 in Singapore equals $79,018 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Singapore

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Singapore's 165, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $950,000. The $570,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,056 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $2,500/mo in Singapore, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 98 in Singapore. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $466/month in Singapore. Singapore 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 105 in Singapore. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $420 in Singapore. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 72 in Singapore. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 44-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 $58,000 in Singapore. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $51,786 respectively. Singapore 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 $1,353/month in Singapore. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Singapore, median rent of $2,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Singapore is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,186 in Singapore, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Singapore's is 165 with median homes at $950,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases