Living Cost Compare
Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, South Burlington, VT is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 23% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$2,236
$1,557
+30% in Cambridge, MA
1 Bedroom
$2,496
$1,533
+39% in Cambridge, MA
2 Bedroom
$2,980
$1,805
+39% in Cambridge, MA
3 Bedroom
$3,325
$2,356
+29% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$1,040,500
$399,600
+62% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income
$126,469
$97,229
+23% in Cambridge, MA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$66,620
$60,020
+10% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
30.5 yr
38.8 yr
+8.3 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
33.7%
60.1%
+26.4 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
80.2%
65.1%
+15.1 pp in Cambridge, MA
Avg Commute
26.1 min
18.9 min
+7.2 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
436.7
239.4
+45% in Cambridge, MA
Property Crime
2,657.6
4,446
+67% in South 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
51.5°F
46.0°F
+5.5°F in Cambridge, MA
Annual Precipitation
43.8 in
36.8 in
+7.0 in in Cambridge, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.07/gal
$3.94/gal
+3% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
29.6
24.4
+17% in Cambridge, MA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$30.66
$26.07
+15% in Cambridge, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / VT)
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in MA
Income Tax (top rate)
9.00%
8.75%
+0.3 pp in MA

Cambridge vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or South Burlington?
South Burlington, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,790 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or South Burlington?
Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).