Cost of Living in Burlington, WI

Population 11,021 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Burlington a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $268,000. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Burlington is about 30 miles southwest of Milwaukee, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 56% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Burlington

The median home value in Burlington is $268,300 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $967/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,658/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 39.7°F. Overall, Burlington has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$268,300
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$343,301
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$967/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 54.5%
Renter-occupied 45.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$967
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,581/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
23.0 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.4%
Carpooled
10.5%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
7.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$81,658
9% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,708
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
47% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor Force Participation
67.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.0%
Graduate degree 11.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 35.9
Female median age 39.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
39.7°F
Annual Precip
31.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313545576979848275634937
Low °F 161928374757626153433222
Precip" 1.191.072.033.633.523.693.353.563.362.902.051.53

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
68%
Good air days/yr
200
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
203
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
4,388
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Burlington, WI?

Burlington has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Burlington, WI?

The median gross rent in Burlington is $967 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Burlington?

The median home value in Burlington is $268,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Burlington?

The median household income in Burlington is $81,658 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Burlington, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Burlington is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Burlington, WI affordable?

Yes, Burlington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Burlington?

Burlington has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 39.7°F. Annual precipitation is 31.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Burlington at a Glance

Population
11,021
Median Income
$81,658
Home Value
$268,300
Median Rent
$967/mo
Unemployment
2.5%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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