Living Cost Compare
Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 26% higher in South Burlington, VT. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Salem, OR
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$1,075
$1,557
+45% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$989
$1,533
+55% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,337
$1,805
+35% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,778
$2,356
+33% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$382,400
$399,600
+4% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$71,900
$97,229
+35% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,310
$60,020
+9% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
38.8 yr
+3.1 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
55.7%
60.1%
+4.4 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
31.4%
65.1%
+33.7 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
22.4 min
18.9 min
+3.5 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
540.6
239.4
+56% in Salem, OR
Property Crime
2,878.6
4,446
+54% 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
53.0°F
46.0°F
+7.0°F in Salem, OR
Annual Precipitation
39.7 in
36.8 in
+2.9 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.21/gal
$3.94/gal
+24% in Salem, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.3
24.4
+50% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$21.60
$26.07
+21% in South Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Salem, OR
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.92
+6% in Salem, OR
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Salem, OR
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in South Burlington, VT
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / VT)
None
6%
+6.0 pp in VT
Income Tax (top rate)
9.90%
8.75%
+1.2 pp in OR

Salem vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or South Burlington?
Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or South Burlington?
Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% 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).