Living Cost Compare
Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 23% higher in South Burlington, VT. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,186
$1,557
+31% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,258
$1,533
+22% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,406
$1,805
+28% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,554
$2,356
+52% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$315,200
$399,600
+27% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$75,134
$97,229
+29% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$60,020
+10% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
38.8 yr
+3.1 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
45.5%
60.1%
+14.6 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.3%
65.1%
+21.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
33.5 min
18.9 min
+14.6 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
539.8
239.4
+56% in Chicago, IL
Property Crime
3,489.9
4,446
+27% 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
52.7°F
46.0°F
+6.7°F in Chicago, IL
Annual Precipitation
38.0 in
36.8 in
+1.1 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.24/gal
$3.94/gal
+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.9
24.4
+23% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.71
$26.07
+32% in South Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Chicago, IL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / VT)
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
8.75%
+3.8 pp in VT

Chicago vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or South Burlington?
Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or South Burlington?
Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).