Build your monthly budget for South Burlington. The calculator is pre-filled with realistic local expenses, including $1,700 average rent, so you can see your savings rate against the 50/30/20 rule.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
South Burlington has a cost-of-living index of 116 (US average = 100). Housing is usually the largest line item, with average 1-bedroom rent near $1,700/month. The estimates below are pre-filled in the calculator and scaled to local costs.
| Expense Category | Typical South Burlington Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (1-bedroom rent) | $1,700/month |
| Food (single person) | $425/month |
| Transportation | $525/month |
| Utilities & Internet | $170/month |
| Healthcare & Insurance | $320/month |
| Personal & Entertainment | $225/month |
| Recommended Savings | 15%+ of gross income |
| Emergency Fund Target | 3 to 6 months of expenses |
South Burlington is the second-largest city in Vermont, home to the Burlington International Airport and a major retail and office corridor, with high household incomes and a fast-growing residential and commercial base in the Burlington metro.
| Local Metric | South Burlington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 20,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Chittenden County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 116 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.67/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,700/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,100/month |
| Median home price | $500,000 |
| Median household income | $80,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
With a cost-of-living index of 116 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent near $1,700/month, a single adult in South Burlington typically needs take-home pay of at least $5,200/month to cover needs and save. The MIT living wage for a single adult is about $21.50/hour.
Split after-tax income into 50% needs (housing, food, utilities, transport, minimum debt), 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. In a high-cost city like South Burlington, the needs share often runs above 50%, so protect the 20% savings target.
Average rent in South Burlington is about $1,700 for a 1-bedroom and $2,100 for a 2-bedroom. A common guideline keeps rent under 30% of gross income, though that is difficult in higher-cost metros.
Based on the local cost-of-living index, typical monthly expenses in South Burlington run around $1,700 housing, $425 food, $525 transportation, and $170 utilities for a single person. The calculator is pre-filled with these estimates.
Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. In South Burlington, with monthly needs around $3,140, that is roughly $9,420 to $18,840.