Living Cost Compare
Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 50% higher in South Burlington, VT. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,111
$1,557
+40% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$978
$1,533
+57% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,386
$1,805
+30% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,695
$2,356
+39% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$337,800
$399,600
+18% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$48,416
$97,229
+101% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,430
$60,020
+2% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.8 yr
38.8 yr
+4.0 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
24.1%
60.1%
+36.0 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.4%
65.1%
+47.7 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
33.2 min
18.9 min
+14.3 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
582.5
239.4
+59% in Newark, NJ
Property Crime
1,961.8
4,446
+127% 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, NJ
Annual Precipitation
46.3 in
36.8 in
+9.4 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.9
24.4
+2% in Newark, NJ
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$17.68
$26.07
+47% 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)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / VT)
6.625%
6%
+0.6 pp in NJ
Income Tax (top rate)
10.75%
8.75%
+2.0 pp in NJ

Newark vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or South Burlington?
Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% 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 $39,000 a year in Newark versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or South Burlington?
Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).