Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Burlington?

Burlington, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Burlington?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $51,000 in Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Burlington?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,530 in Burlington, VT. Overall, Burlington, VT is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $68,854 in Burlington, VT — about 34% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,284

+4% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,275

+20% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,731

+7% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,002

+10% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$400,200

+22% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$68,854

+34% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$60,020

+2% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

26.7 yr

+14.2 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

39.8%

+20.0 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

60.5%

+6.8 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

28.7 min

19.2 min

+9.5 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

497.1

+38% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

4,408.9

+109% in Burlington, VT

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

46.0°F

+11.1°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

36.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

24.9

+14% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$20.31

+7% in Burlington, VT

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Burlington, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Burlington, VT

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / VT)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

8.75%

+2.3 pp in VT

Annapolis vs Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Burlington?: Burlington, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $51,000 in Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Burlington?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).