Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Memphis?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,530 in Burlington, VT versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 26% higher in Burlington, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$877

+32% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$948

+26% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$1,073

+38% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,281

+36% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$157,100

+61% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$51,211

+26% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$46,890

+22% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

34.3 yr

+7.6 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

39.8%

46.0%

+6.2 pp in Memphis, TN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

28.2%

+32.3 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

21.3 min

+2.1 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

2,507.6

+404% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

4,408.9

6,966.3

+58% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+17.1°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

53.7 in

+16.9 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Memphis, TN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.5

+42% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.31

$16.83

+17% 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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

None

+8.8 pp in VT

Burlington vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Memphis?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).