Living Cost Compare
Richmond

Virginia

$1,400/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 $1,400 in Richmond, VA versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 36% higher in South Burlington, VT. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,183
$1,557
+32% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,533
+28% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,374
$1,805
+31% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,447
$2,356
+63% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$328,100
$399,600
+22% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$62,671
$97,229
+55% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,460
$60,020
+17% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.5 yr
38.8 yr
+4.3 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
43.5%
60.1%
+16.6 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
44.1%
65.1%
+21.0 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
22.1 min
18.9 min
+3.2 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
349
239.4
+31% in Richmond, VA
Property Crime
3,240.2
4,446
+37% 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
58.9°F
46.0°F
+12.9°F in Richmond, VA
Annual Precipitation
43.6 in
36.8 in
+6.8 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.2
24.4
+42% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.20
$26.07
+4% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA
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 (VA / VT)
5.3%
6%
+0.7 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
5.75%
8.75%
+3.0 pp in VT

Richmond vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or South Burlington?
Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or South Burlington?
Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).