RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · VT

Burlington

Pop. 44,675·4th most expensive in Vermont·Burlington rents have dropped 5.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,990/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.9%
Month-over-Month
-2.8%
vs US Median
+$25
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Burlington rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Burlington · $1,990
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
75/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Burlington's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,990/mo
Expected by trend
$2,268/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Burlington's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,450
1 BR
$1,550
2 BR
$2,040
3 BR
$2,630
4 BR+
$2,700
Research median
$2,040/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,880/yr
At $1,990/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.9% YoY, -2.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Burlington, VT is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 60.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
44,675
Median income
$71,109
Median age
26.8
Renters
58.5%
Age distribution
51.7%
16.9%
12.1%
Under 1811.1%
18–3451.7%
35–5416.9%
55–648.2%
65+12.1%
Gender
46.7%
53.3%
Male46.7%
Female53.3%
Race & ethnicity
85%
White85%
Black2.9%
Hispanic2.8%
Asian4.2%
Other5.1%
Education (25+)
16.6%
18.1%
60.5%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma16.6%
Some college18.1%
Bachelor's+60.5%
Housing tenure
41.5%
58.5%
Owner41.5%
Renter58.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Burlington, VT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,580 → $1,990
up 25.9%
Income
$59,331 → $71,109
up 19.9%
Population
44,703 → 44,675
down 0.1%
Renter share
61.7% → 58.5%
-3.2 pts
Bachelor's+
57% → 60.5%
+3.5 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Burlington, VT has increased by $410 per month, settling near $1,990 after starting the period at $1,580. Census figures show median household income at $71,109 today, compared with $59,331 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 6.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 58.5% of households rent today, against 61.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 57% to 60.5%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Burlington

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Burlington rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Burlington on your salary?

At $1,990/mo, how Burlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Burlington rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Burlington. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Burlington

About renting in Burlington, VT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Burlington is $1,990/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,550/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,630/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($71,109/yr), Burlington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Burlington an affordable city for renters?

Burlington is considered moderate for renters. At $1,990/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($71,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Burlington slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Burlington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,990/mo in Burlington. The local median household income is $71,109/yr, meaning the typical Burlington household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Burlington?

Rent in Burlington has decreased 5.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Burlington rent compare to other cities in Vermont?

Burlington is middle-of-the-pack for Vermont for rent, ranking #4 out of 7 tracked cities at $1,990/mo.

What percentage of Burlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.5% of Burlington households are renters, while 41.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Burlington has a strong rental market.

How does Burlington rent compare to the national average?

Burlington's median rent of $1,990/mo is $25 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Vermont, it ranks #4 out of 7 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,990/mo, rent takes ~34% of Burlington's median household income ($71,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Burlington 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.35–8.75%
Run the Burlington affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Burlington
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Burlington, VT

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Burlington.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.