Living Cost Compare
Burlington

Vermont

$1,540/mo est.

vs
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 1% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT
Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio
$1,284
$818
+36% in Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,275
$827
+35% in Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,731
$957
+45% in Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$2,002
$1,278
+36% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$400,200
$298,600
+25% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$68,854
$69,630
+1% in Idaho Falls, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,020
$46,800
+22% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
26.7 yr
33.5 yr
+6.8 yr in Idaho Falls, ID
Homeownership
39.8%
64.1%
+24.3 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
60.5%
31.0%
+29.5 pp in Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
19.2 min
18.2 min
+1.0 min in Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
497.1
365.3
+27% in Burlington, VT
Property Crime
4,408.9
1,235.5
+72% 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
44.2°F
+1.8°F in Burlington, VT
Annual Precipitation
36.8 in
10.4 in
+26.4 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.4
14.4
+41% in Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$26.07
$11.33
+57% in Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Idaho Falls, ID
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in Idaho Falls, ID
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in Idaho Falls, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.01
+8% in Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / ID)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
8.75%
5.30%
+3.5 pp in VT

Burlington vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Burlington, VT's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Idaho Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Idaho Falls?
Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).