Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,540, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Huntington?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,540/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,540 in Burlington, VT versus $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 37% higher in Burlington, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$762

+41% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$758

+41% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$881

+49% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,121

+44% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$118,800

+70% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$43,146

+37% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$44,600

+26% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

34.9 yr

+8.2 yr in Huntington, WV

Homeownership

39.8%

52.5%

+12.7 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

34.5%

+26.0 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

18.6 min

+0.6 min in Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

800.3

+61% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

4,408.9

3,617.9

+18% 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

46.0°F

55.7°F

+9.7°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

42.6 in

+5.8 in in Huntington, WV

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

15.4

+37% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$24.68

+5% in Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Burlington, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Huntington, WV

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

4.82%

+3.9 pp in VT

Burlington vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Huntington?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).