A-
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
6%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Burlington Wisconsin National
Cost of living10296100
Goods & Services9997100
Groceries10399100
Health care111112100
Housing10688100
Transportation9998100
Utilities105102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Burlington, WI

Understanding the cost of living in Burlington can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Burlington cost of living index is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Burlington is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Burlington Affordable?

Is Burlington affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Burlington, for instance, where the median home price falls 14.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 14.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Burlington flaunting a median household income of $65,970, 19.2% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Burlington?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Burlington, the transportation index is 1.1% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Burlington, the groceries index is 2.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Burlington, the general sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates begin at 3.54%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Burlington, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Burlington is 7% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Burlington is 2% higher than the national average
  • Burlington housing is 6% higher than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Burlington

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Compare Burlington, WI Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$95,938$7,995$2,238$2,878
      Renters$41,050$3,421$958$1,232
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Burlington is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Burlington has a median income of about $95,938 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,238 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $41,050. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $958 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.21$24.2616.7%
      Beauty Salon $33.25$45.5627.0%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.07$1.2816.6%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.5%
      Bowling $10.03$18.0044.3%

      Groceries

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.05$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.3%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $4.10$4.9317.0%
      Pizza $11.33$12.096.3%
      Beer $8.52$10.4118.2%

      Health Care

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $278.65$125.68121.7%
      Doctor $223.73$135.7864.8%
      Dentist $106.79$113.295.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.29$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $469.65$468.600.2%

      Housing

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $210,900.00$184,700.0014.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,879.64$2,346.6919.9%
      Apartment Rent $810.00$949.0014.6%

      Transportation

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.30$3.464.5%
      Tire Balancing $44.14$59.9226.3%

      Utilities

      Item Burlington National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.69$193.995.8%
      Phone $185.79$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lake Ivanhoe, WI398955.5%
      Springfield, WI131973.0%
      Camp Lake, WI4,175972.5%
      Wilmot, WI219982.2%
      Eagle Lake, WI1,010991.5%
      Burlington, WI10,9111022.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Riverton, WY10,913928.2%
      Woodmere, LA10,908945.7%
      Waggaman, LA10,917927.9%
      Oneida, NY10,918973.2%
      Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI10,92115151.2%
      Burlington, WI10,9111022.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.