Burlington, VT vs Detroit, MI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Detroit, MI and Burlington, VT are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Burlington works out to about $74,500 in Detroit, before taxes.
- Housing is 8.8% lower in Detroit, goods 1.6% higher and other services 1.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,514 a month in Detroit and $2,592 in Burlington, $12,936 a year less in Detroit (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $264,000 in Detroit and $462,000 in Burlington.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Detroit was 5.8% less expensive than Burlington.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Burlington and Detroit
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
All items Burlington, VT: 100.9 Detroit, MI: 100.3
Goods Burlington, VT: 97.3 Detroit, MI: 98.8
Housing (rents) Burlington, VT: 103.8 Detroit, MI: 94.7
Utilities Burlington, VT: 125.6 Detroit, MI: 107.0
Other services Burlington, VT: 101.6 Detroit, MI: 102.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.9 | 100.3 |
| Goods | 97.3 | 98.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 103.8 | 94.7 |
| Utilities | 125.6 | 107.0 |
| Other services | 101.6 | 102.6 |
| Category | Burlington | Detroit | Detroit vs Burlington |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.9 | 100.3 | −0.6% |
| Goods | 97.3 | 98.8 | +1.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 103.8 | 94.7 | −8.8% |
| Utilities | 125.6 | 107.0 | −14.8% |
| Other services | 101.6 | 102.6 | +1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,592 | $1,514 | −41.6% |
| Typical home value | $462,000 | $264,000 | −42.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Burlington | $75,000 | $74,500 | −0.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Burlington and Detroit has narrowed since 2008: 2.5 points then, 0.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.1 | 100.6 |
| 2009 | 104.7 | 100.2 |
| 2010 | 102.0 | 99.4 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 98.5 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 97.9 |
| 2013 | 103.3 | 98.4 |
| 2014 | 99.5 | 98.7 |
| 2015 | 102.9 | 96.9 |
| 2016 | 102.1 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 102.1 | 97.3 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 105.1 | 98.3 |
| 2021 | 102.6 | 96.4 |
| 2022 | 106.3 | 96.3 |
| 2023 | 100.8 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 100.9 | 100.3 |
Goods
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 101.2 | 102.1 |
| 2010 | 98.4 | 100.4 |
| 2011 | 98.4 | 101.0 |
| 2012 | 99.0 | 99.5 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 98.0 | 99.5 |
| 2015 | 99.0 | 98.2 |
| 2016 | 98.7 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2018 | 100.7 | 100.1 |
| 2019 | 98.8 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| 2021 | 98.3 | 95.1 |
| 2022 | 100.5 | 94.7 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 97.3 | 98.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 115.6 | 103.4 |
| 2009 | 125.6 | 98.0 |
| 2010 | 118.6 | 100.3 |
| 2011 | 124.7 | 95.3 |
| 2012 | 130.6 | 96.4 |
| 2013 | 120.5 | 95.7 |
| 2014 | 108.6 | 95.7 |
| 2015 | 122.0 | 93.5 |
| 2016 | 113.4 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 118.0 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 111.6 | 94.4 |
| 2019 | 132.9 | 96.9 |
| 2020 | 126.5 | 95.7 |
| 2021 | 118.3 | 90.3 |
| 2022 | 123.8 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 101.9 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 103.8 | 94.7 |
Utilities
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 129.2 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 135.9 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 130.4 | 107.2 |
| 2011 | 134.4 | 108.2 |
| 2012 | 134.3 | 109.7 |
| 2013 | 133.4 | 109.6 |
| 2014 | 127.6 | 103.5 |
| 2015 | 125.7 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 129.7 | 104.3 |
| 2017 | 129.8 | 105.7 |
| 2018 | 128.0 | 104.8 |
| 2019 | 125.0 | 100.7 |
| 2020 | 140.3 | 106.0 |
| 2021 | 130.5 | 102.1 |
| 2022 | 116.9 | 101.9 |
| 2023 | 121.9 | 106.8 |
| 2024 | 125.6 | 107.0 |
Other services
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.3 | 100.2 |
| 2009 | 100.3 | 99.2 |
| 2010 | 99.3 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 97.8 | 97.4 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 97.5 |
| 2014 | 97.2 | 98.8 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 96.6 |
| 2016 | 100.7 | 94.9 |
| 2017 | 102.2 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 99.8 | 96.0 |
| 2019 | 101.1 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 102.2 | 98.5 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 98.9 |
| 2022 | 105.1 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 101.7 | 99.5 |
| 2024 | 101.6 | 102.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,514 in Detroit vs $2,592 in Burlington
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $854 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $871 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $879 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $875 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $882 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $899 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,622 | $907 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,672 | $905 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,703 | $918 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,718 | $948 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,760 | $953 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,718 | $952 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,782 | $964 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,783 | $986 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,784 | $994 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,791 | $987 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,805 | $1,007 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,813 | $1,032 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,831 | $1,033 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,831 | $1,032 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,840 | $1,040 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,875 | $1,066 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,903 | $1,100 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,911 | $1,112 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,912 | $1,143 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,981 | $1,187 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,075 | $1,230 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,083 | $1,246 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,127 | $1,265 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,237 | $1,313 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,310 | $1,324 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,309 | $1,310 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,347 | $1,320 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,402 | $1,342 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,429 | $1,354 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,438 | $1,354 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,460 | $1,371 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,515 | $1,401 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,545 | $1,415 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,510 | $1,421 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,526 | $1,435 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,549 | $1,450 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,557 | $1,453 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,519 | $1,457 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,569 | $1,468 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,570 | $1,496 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,592 | $1,514 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $264,000 in Detroit vs $462,000 in Burlington
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Burlington, VT
- Detroit, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Burlington, VT | Detroit, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $271K | $124K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $271K | $128K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $273K | $131K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $274K | $133K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $275K | $136K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $276K | $139K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $278K | $141K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $281K | $144K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $285K | $148K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $290K | $152K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $292K | $154K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $294K | $157K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $298K | $162K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $301K | $165K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $305K | $168K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $306K | $169K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $307K | $174K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $309K | $177K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $311K | $178K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $316K | $179K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $322K | $182K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $326K | $184K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $334K | $186K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $346K | $194K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $358K | $204K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $373K | $214K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $383K | $217K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $388K | $217K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $405K | $226K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $425K | $236K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $428K | $234K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $428K | $231K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $434K | $231K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $447K | $235K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $452K | $240K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $452K | $242K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $455K | $245K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $463K | $250K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $464K | $251K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $464K | $253K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $460K | $256K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $460K | $257K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $462K | $260K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $464K | $262K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $465K | $264K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $464K | $264K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $462K | $264K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Burlington, VT
- Cost of living in Detroit, MI
- Reverse: moving from Detroit to Burlington
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.