Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Burlington?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $51,000 in Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Burlington?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,530 in Burlington, VT. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $68,854 in Burlington, VT — about 15% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,284

+26% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,275

+13% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,731

+29% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$2,002

+14% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$400,200

+12% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$68,854

+15% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$60,020

+22% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

26.7 yr

+11.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

39.8%

+23.2 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

60.5%

+13.9 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.1 min

19.2 min

+0.1 min in Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

497.1

+65% in Burlington, VT

Property Crime

1,135.1

4,408.9

+288% 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

52.5°F

46.0°F

+6.5°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

36.8 in

+25.1 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

24.9

+102% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$20.31

+88% in Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / VT)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

8.75%

+3.5 pp in VT

Boise vs Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Burlington?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $51,000 in Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Burlington?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).