True Cost of Renting in Burlington, VT

Burlington is Vermont's most vibrant city and home to the University of Vermont (UVM) and Burlington College. Church Street Marketplace is one of the Northeast's best pedestrian malls. Lake Champlain provides extraordinary recreational access. Green Mountain Power provides electricity. Vermont's overall cost of living is high despite moderate rents, due to heating costs, property taxes embedded in rents, and Vermont's higher income tax.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Old North End

Studio:
$1,300/mo
1 Bed:
$1,600/mo
2 Bed:
$2,300/mo

Burlington's most diverse and walkable neighborhood north of downtown; affordable by Vermont standards. Green Mountain Power electric. Vibrant arts scene and independent restaurants. Walk to downtown Church Street and the waterfront. Strong Latino and refugee community.

South End / Burlington Arts District

Studio:
$1,200/mo
1 Bed:
$1,500/mo
2 Bed:
$2,200/mo

Burlington's converted industrial arts district; paint-your-own pottery studios, breweries, and light manufacturing alongside apartments. Near Burlington International Airport. Mix of older buildings and some new construction. Bike path to downtown along the Winooski River.

Hill Section / University District

Studio:
$1,400/mo
1 Bed:
$1,700/mo
2 Bed:
$2,500/mo

UVM campus-adjacent neighborhood; high student demand creates August turnover competition. Walk to medical center (UVM Medical Center, the largest employer in Vermont). Higher demand from medical and university personnel.

Utility Providers

Electric
Green Mountain Power (GMP)
Water
City of Burlington Department of Public Works
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Consolidated Communications, Burlington Telecom

Commute & Transportation

Burlington has no rail transit and limited transit options overall. Green Transit bus serves the Burlington area. I-89 connects Burlington to Montreal (100 miles north, 1.5 hours) and I-93/Boston (220 miles, 3.5 hours). Amtrak's Vermonter stops in Essex Junction (8 miles east) for service to New York and Washington (6+ hours). Burlington International Airport (BTV) provides regional air service. Major employers: UVM Medical Center (7,000+), University of Vermont (4,000+), GlobalFoundries (semiconductor manufacturing in Essex Junction), and state government.

Rental Market Overview

Burlington has the lowest vacancy rate in Vermont and is chronically undersupplied relative to demand. Green Mountain Power provides some of New England's cleaner energy mix but rates are above average. Vermont's income tax (up to 8.75% on high income, 6.6% on moderate income) is significantly higher than NH but lower than Massachusetts. Heating is the major winter cost — oil, propane, or natural gas heat can add $300–500/month in January–February in older buildings. Renters insurance averages $14–20/month. The September UVM move-in creates intense competition for quality units.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Burlington

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Burlington: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Burlington?
One-bedroom apartments in Burlington range from $1,500/month in South End / Burlington Arts District to $1,700/month in Hill Section / University District. Two-bedroom units range from $2,200 to $2,500/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Burlington?
In Burlington, electricity is provided by Green Mountain Power (GMP), water by City of Burlington Department of Public Works, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Consolidated Communications, Burlington Telecom. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Burlington?
South End / Burlington Arts District is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Burlington, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,500/month. Burlington's converted industrial arts district; paint-your-own pottery studios, breweries, and light manufacturing alongside apartments. Near Burlington International Airport. Mix of older buildings and some new construction. Bike path to downtown along the Winooski River. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Burlington expensive to rent in?
Burlington has the lowest vacancy rate in Vermont and is chronically undersupplied relative to demand. Green Mountain Power provides some of New England's cleaner energy mix but rates are above average. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Burlington — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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