Cost of Living in Burlington, KY

Population 18,090 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

89
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Burlington is a smaller Kentucky community of around 18000 residents, where median household incomes of $101,550 and housing costs ($230,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Burlington sits roughly 14 miles southwest of Cincinnati. Housing prices track closely with Cincinnati's $215,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 75
Rent 110

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Burlington

The median home value in Burlington is $229,700 — 25% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,442/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $101,550/year is 36% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 4.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 64.4°F and lows of 44.9°F, with about 23.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Burlington has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$229,700
25% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$324,457
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
10% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,135/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$636
1 BR
$721
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,187
4 BR
$1,336
Owner-occupied 73.5%
Renter-occupied 26.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,442
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,056/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.0 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.7%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
12.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$101,550
36% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,781
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
59% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor Force Participation
69.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.3%
Graduate degree 10.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 39.3
Female median age 37.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
44.9°F
Annual Precip
45.3"
Annual Snowfall
23.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404454667583868579675443
Low °F 232634445462666557463528
Precip" 3.303.174.164.534.674.753.833.433.113.353.233.73
Snow" 7.76.73.40.40.00.00.00.00.00.20.84.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
76.3%
Good air days/yr
156
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Burlington, KY?

Burlington has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.

What is average rent in Burlington, KY?

The median gross rent in Burlington is $1,442 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Burlington?

The median home value in Burlington is $229,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Burlington?

The median household income in Burlington is $101,550 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Burlington, KY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Burlington is 6.0%. The Kentucky state income tax top rate is 4.0%.

Is Burlington, KY affordable?

Yes, Burlington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Burlington?

Burlington has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 44.9°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Average annual snowfall is 23.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Burlington at a Glance

Population
18,090
Median Income
$101,550
Home Value
$229,700
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
Unemployment
2.0%
Avg High Temp
64.4°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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