Living Cost Compare
Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 39% higher in South Burlington, VT. 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.

Baltimore, MD
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,050
$1,557
+48% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,073
$1,533
+43% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,353
$1,805
+33% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,555
$2,356
+52% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$219,300
$399,600
+82% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$59,623
$97,229
+63% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$60,020
+2% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.1 yr
38.8 yr
+2.7 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
47.5%
60.1%
+12.6 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.4%
65.1%
+29.7 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
29.4 min
18.9 min
+10.5 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,616.7
239.4
+85% in Baltimore, MD
Property Crime
4,202.6
4,446
+6% in South 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
61.4°F
46.0°F
+15.4°F in Baltimore, MD
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
36.8 in
+5.6 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.8
24.4
+12% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.57
$26.07
+16% in South Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in South Burlington, VT
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Baltimore, MD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / VT)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
8.75%
+2.3 pp in VT

Baltimore vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or South Burlington?
Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or South Burlington?
Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); South 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).