Living Cost Compare
Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 40% higher in South Burlington, VT. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Dover, DE
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$993
$1,557
+57% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,047
$1,533
+46% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,185
$1,805
+52% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,634
$2,356
+44% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$248,500
$399,600
+61% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$58,336
$97,229
+67% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,690
$60,020
+29% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.8 yr
+3.7 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
47.0%
60.1%
+13.1 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
27.1%
65.1%
+38.0 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
24.0 min
18.9 min
+5.1 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,025.3
239.4
+77% in Dover, DE
Property Crime
6,159.1
4,446
+28% in Dover, DE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
56.9°F
46.0°F
+10.9°F in Dover, DE
Annual Precipitation
46.0 in
36.8 in
+9.2 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.3
24.4
+27% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.73
$26.07
+12% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in South Burlington, VT
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in South Burlington, VT
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Dover, DE
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in South Burlington, VT
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / VT)
None
6%
+6.0 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
8.75%
+2.2 pp in VT

Dover vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or South Burlington?
Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or South Burlington?
Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).