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City Report · VT

South Burlington

Pop. 20,756·1st most expensive in Vermont·South Burlington rents are up 10.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,561/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.3%
Month-over-Month
-3.8%
vs US Median
+$599
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
South Burlington · $2,561
More expensive than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,561/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$102,000/yr
Local median income
$106,667/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using South Burlington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,550
1 BR
$1,650
2 BR
$2,170
3 BR
$2,790
4 BR+
$2,880
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,561 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$30,732/yr
At $2,561/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (10.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.3% YoY, -3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

South Burlington, VT is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 67.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,756
Median income
$106,667
Median age
38.2
Renters
38.4%
Age distribution
19%
25.2%
26.7%
17.8%
Under 1819%
18–3425.2%
35–5426.7%
55–6411.3%
65+17.8%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
79%
White79%
Black1.9%
Hispanic3.5%
Asian10.2%
Other5.5%
Education (25+)
12.2%
18.5%
67.6%
No HS diploma1.8%
HS diploma12.2%
Some college18.5%
Bachelor's+67.6%
Housing tenure
61.6%
38.4%
Owner61.6%
Renter38.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How South Burlington, VT has changed in 5 years

Income
$83,750 → $106,667
up 27.4%
Population
20,042 → 20,756
up 3.6%
Renter share
39.8% → 38.4%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
62% → 67.6%
+5.6 pts
Median age
38.7 → 38.2
-0.5 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $83,750 in 2021 to $106,667 more recently. Census counts show South Burlington, VT adding about 714 residents over the five-year window, up 3.6% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 62% to 67.6% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about South Burlington

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

Can you afford rent in South Burlington on your salary?

At $2,561/mo, how South Burlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

South Burlington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in South Burlington

About renting in South Burlington, VT

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in South Burlington is $2,561/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,550/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,650/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,790/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($106,667/yr), South Burlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is South Burlington an affordable city for renters?

South Burlington is considered affordable for renters. At $2,561/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($106,667/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. South Burlington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in South Burlington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $102,000/year (~$49/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,561/mo in South Burlington. The local median household income is $106,667/yr, meaning the typical South Burlington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in South Burlington?

Rent in South Burlington has increased 10.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does South Burlington rent compare to other cities in Vermont?

South Burlington is one of the pricier cities in Vermont for rent, ranking #1 out of 8 tracked cities at $2,561/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than South Burlington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than South Burlington ($2,561/mo): Barre ($1,421/mo), Burlington ($2,000/mo), Winooski ($2,228/mo).

What percentage of South Burlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.4% of South Burlington households are renters, while 61.6% are owner-occupied. South Burlington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does South Burlington rent compare to the national average?

South Burlington's median rent of $2,561/mo is $599 (31%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Vermont, it ranks #1 out of 8 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,561/mo, rent takes ~29% of South Burlington's median household income ($106,667/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

South Burlington 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.35–8.75%
Run the South Burlington affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near South Burlington, VT

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