Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 59% higher in South Burlington, VT. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$801
$1,557
+94% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$752
$1,533
+104% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,805
+80% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$2,356
+97% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$399,600
+420% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$97,229
+146% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$60,020
+15% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.8 yr
+3.7 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
49.7%
60.1%
+10.4 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
65.1%
+47.5 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
25.4 min
18.9 min
+6.5 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
239.4
+87% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
4,446
+1% 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
50.3°F
46.0°F
+4.3°F in Detroit, MI
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
36.8 in
+5.5 in in South Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in South Burlington, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
24.4
+6% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$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 Detroit, MI
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 (MI / VT)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
8.75%
+4.5 pp in VT

Detroit vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or South Burlington?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or South Burlington?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).