Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 16% higher in South Burlington, VT. 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
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$1,557
+52% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$1,533
+35% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,805
+35% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$2,356
+35% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$399,600
+12% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$97,229
+20% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$60,020
+22% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
38.8 yr
+0.6 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
63.0%
60.1%
+2.9 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
65.1%
+18.5 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
19.1 min
18.9 min
+0.2 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
239.4
+20% in Boise, ID
Property Crime
1,135.1
4,446
+292% 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
52.5°F
46.0°F
+6.5°F in Boise, ID
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
36.8 in
+25.1 in in South Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Boise, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
24.4
+70% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$26.07
+130% in South 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
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Boise, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in South 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)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
8.75%
+3.5 pp in VT

Boise vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or South Burlington?
Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or South Burlington?
Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).