Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Tacoma?

Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% 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 Tacoma?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Tacoma?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Tacoma, WA is roughly 2% 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 $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 18% higher in Tacoma, WA. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$1,178

+8% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$1,332

+4% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$1,693

+2% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$2,094

+5% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$454,600

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$83,857

+22% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$72,610

+21% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

37.3 yr

+10.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

39.8%

56.5%

+16.7 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

33.5%

+27.0 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

29.0 min

+9.8 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

1,064.4

+114% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

4,408.9

5,695.2

+29% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+6.1°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

43.0 in

+6.2 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.9

+40% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.31

$20.41

+0% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tacoma, WA

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 / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

None

+8.8 pp in VT

Burlington vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Tacoma?: Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% 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 Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Tacoma?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).