City Comparison

Burlington vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

35.6%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
86
Springdale
Groceries
108
Burlington
97
Springdale
Utilities
115
Burlington
93
Springdale
Transportation
98
Burlington
91
Springdale
Healthcare
116
Burlington
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Burlington vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $299,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 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 Springdale, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale 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 Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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