City Comparison

Burlington vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

53.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 53.2%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to $48,941 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
55
Toledo
Groceries
108
Burlington
98
Toledo
Utilities
115
Burlington
92
Toledo
Transportation
98
Burlington
101
Toledo
Healthcare
116
Burlington
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $48,941 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $114,935 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $128,000. The $252,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,380 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $975.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $54,805 respectively. Toledo 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 53.2% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,941 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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