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Retirement community in Burlington, Vermont

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Burlington, Vermont Retirement Guide

39

Retirement Score

Burlington, Vermont at a Glance

Median Home Price
$383,300
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for lower incomes; pension taxable.
Avg January Low
17.1°F
Cost of Living Index
121.4 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
39 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Burlington, Vermont, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
121.4 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated September 2026
Median Household Income
$64,931High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Burlington's cost of living is 21.400000000000006% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$383,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,540High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
39.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Burlington using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$830

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$933

Median home price used: $383,300

Median rent reference: $1,540 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Burlington, Vermont after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
26.4 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
26.4 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
80.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Burlington scores 26.4 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Burlington

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Burlington

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
15 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for lower incomes; pension taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Vermont has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
81.1°FLow confidence
Avg January Low
17.1°FLow confidence
Annual Precipitation
35.8"Low confidence
Sunny Days / Year
266 daysLow confidence

With 266 sunny days a year and an average January low of 17.1°F, Burlington offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
83.6 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
100 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
15.5 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
44,646High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
27.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
11.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
2.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
60.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
87.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
3.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
3.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
3.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Burlington

What is the cost of living in Burlington, Vermont for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 121, roughly 21% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $383,300.

Does Vermont tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Vermont residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for lower incomes; pension taxable.

What is the climate like in Burlington, Vermont?

Burlington, Vermont has January average low around 17°F, July average high around 81°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Burlington, Vermont?

Burlington scores 26/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

CHAMPLAIN INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC

Financial Advisor

BIRCHVIEW CAPITAL, LP

Financial Advisor

ONE DAY IN JULY LLC

Financial Advisor

+92 more financial advisors available

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