Living Cost Compare
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Newark, DE is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,373 in Newark, DE and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 27% 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.

Newark, DE
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,649
$1,557
+6% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,391
$1,533
+10% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,513
$1,805
+19% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,916
$2,356
+23% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$357,600
$399,600
+12% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$71,373
$97,229
+36% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,310
$60,020
+11% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
22.0 yr
38.8 yr
+16.8 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
50.3%
60.1%
+9.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
57.5%
65.1%
+7.6 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
19.6 min
18.9 min
+0.7 min in Newark, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
326.3
239.4
+27% in Newark, DE
Property Crime
2,024.6
4,446
+120% 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
54.9°F
46.0°F
+8.9°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
43.1 in
36.8 in
+6.3 in in Newark, 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 Newark, 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 Newark, 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

Newark vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or South Burlington?
Newark, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,620 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or South Burlington?
Newark 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).