Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Phoenix?

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $50,000 in Phoenix.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Phoenix?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Phoenix Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/mo est.

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 11% higher in Phoenix, AZ. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Phoenix, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$1,127

+12% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$1,253

+2% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$1,493

+14% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,771

+12% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$381,900

+5% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$77,041

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$51,380

+14% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

34.8 yr

+8.1 yr in Phoenix, AZ

Homeownership

39.8%

57.1%

+17.3 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

32.3%

+28.2 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

25.7 min

+6.5 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

799.6

+61% in Phoenix, AZ

Property Crime

4,408.9

2,338.9

+47% 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

75.1°F

+29.1°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

8.2 in

+28.6 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Phoenix, AZ

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

15.2

+39% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.31

$22.44

+10% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Phoenix, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Phoenix, AZ

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 / AZ)

5.6%

+0.4 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

2.50%

+6.3 pp in VT

Burlington vs Phoenix — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Phoenix?: Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Phoenix?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Phoenix?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).