Salary Needed to Live in Burlington as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $66,232/year to live comfortably in Burlington, VT, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $66,232/year to live comfortably in Burlington, VT. The bare-minimum salary is $57,033/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,864.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,422/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,519/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$66,232
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$57,033
$4,753/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,422
5% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Burlington
| Expense | Burlington | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,154 | $1,351 | -15% |
| Groceries | $244 | $207 | +18% |
| Utilities | $150 | $169 | -11% |
| Transportation | $320 | $316 | +1% |
| Car Insurance | $187 | $229 | -18% |
| Health Insurance | $605 | $690 | -12% |
| Internet | $77 | $65 | +18% |
| Phone | $100 | $85 | +18% |
| Dining & Social | $354 | $300 | +18% |
| Entertainment | $142 | $120 | +18% |
| Personal Care | $89 | $75 | +19% |
| Total Monthly | $3,422 | $3,607 | -5% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,422
Target savings (10%):$442/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,864
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$66,232
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,154
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus VT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$442/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
118/100
Burlington is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,154/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $762/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $57,033/year as the survival floor and $66,232/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Burlington
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Burlington?
A single person needs approximately $66,232/year ($5,519/month gross) to live comfortably in Burlington with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Burlington?
A studio/1br in Burlington costs approximately $1,154/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Burlington affordable for a single person?
Burlington is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.