Living Cost Compare
Greenville

South Carolina

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Greenville, SC versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Greenville, SC is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,460 in Greenville, SC and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 30% higher in South Burlington, VT. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Greenville, SC
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,175
$1,557
+33% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,113
$1,533
+38% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,325
$1,805
+36% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,550
$2,356
+52% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$453,300
$399,600
+12% in Greenville, SC

Income

Median Household Income
$68,460
$97,229
+42% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,580
$60,020
+29% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.8 yr
38.8 yr
+4.0 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
41.2%
60.1%
+18.9 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
55.0%
65.1%
+10.1 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
19.9 min
18.9 min
+1.0 min in Greenville, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
649.8
239.4
+63% in Greenville, SC
Property Crime
3,479.3
4,446
+28% 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
60.5°F
46.0°F
+14.5°F in Greenville, SC
Annual Precipitation
50.8 in
36.8 in
+14.0 in in Greenville, SC

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.6
24.4
+57% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.07
$26.07
+10% in Greenville, SC

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 Greenville, SC
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 (SC / VT)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
6.00%
8.75%
+2.8 pp in VT

Greenville vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Greenville or South Burlington?
Greenville, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Greenville than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Greenville versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Greenville or South Burlington?
Greenville is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).