Cost of Living in Burlington, IA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $790 (excluding rent), and $1,781 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,170 (excluding rent), and $3,594 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.52 $11.52

$8.01 $8.01

$28.05 $28.05

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.8 $59.8

$140 $140

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.86 $8.86

$5.91 $5.91

$11.81 $11.81

Cappuccino

$5.38 $5.38

$3.95 $3.95

$5.93 $5.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$3.91 $3.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.75 $1.75

$3.90 $3.90

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.45 $3.45

$2.96 $2.96

$10.85 $10.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.57 $4.57

$4.06 $4.06

$13.19 $13.19

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.68 $0.68

$1.43 $1.43

White Bread (500g)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.08 $1.08

$6.49 $6.49

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.89 $7.89

$4.35 $4.35

$12.79 $12.79

Eggs

$3.06 $3.06

$2.04 $2.04

$8.15 $8.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.92 $14.92

$13.48 $13.48

$17.82 $17.82

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.98 $12.98

$8.73 $8.73

$17.46 $17.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.54 $15.54

$11.19 $11.19

$20.14 $20.14

Apples (1kg)

$4.84 $4.84

$2.14 $2.14

$6.42 $6.42

Banana (1kg)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.31 $1.31

$2.16 $2.16

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.15 $2.15

$8.62 $8.62

Tomato (1kg)

$5.17 $5.17

$4.41 $4.41

$6.67 $6.67

Potato (1kg)

$3.02 $3.02

$1.70 $1.70

$4.35 $4.35

Onion (1kg)

$2.38 $2.38

$0.72 $0.72

$4.33 $4.33

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.77 $1.77

$0.97 $0.97

$2.39 $2.39

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.95 $1.95

$2.92 $2.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.93 $8.93

$8.04 $8.04

$8.93 $8.93

Wine (Bottle)

$11.92 $11.92

$9.94 $9.94

$19.87 $19.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$0.84 $0.84

$4.34 $4.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 $4.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.28 $1.28

$2.04 $2.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.34 $20.34

$15.88 $15.88

$24.81 $24.81

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.59 $3.59

$3.07 $3.07

$5.12 $5.12

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.53 $1.53

$2.14 $2.14

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.13 $29.13

$26.35 $26.35

$34.93 $34.93

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.86 $0.86

$1.10 $1.10

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.2K $23.2K

$23.1K $23.1K

$23.3K $23.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.2K $24.2K

$23.1K $23.1K

$26.4K $26.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$177 $177

$153 $153

$407 $407

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.5 $52.5

$25.34 $25.34

$152 $152

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.3 $50.3

$34.38 $34.38

$121 $121

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.5 $50.5

$17.68 $17.68

$50.5 $50.5

Cinema Ticket

$11.11 $11.11

$6.06 $6.06

$12.12 $12.12

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$714 $714

$1,487 $1,487

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.8K $23.8K

$17.1K $17.1K

$27.7K $27.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.52 $44.52

$28.33 $28.33

$60.7 $60.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.84 $30.84

$21.89 $21.89

$39.79 $39.79

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.4 $66.4

$59.8 $59.8

$99.6 $99.6

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.67 $38.67

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$627 $627

$594 $594

$644 $644

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$672 $672

$655 $655

$706 $706

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,053 $1,053

$953 $953

$1,203 $1,203

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,173 $1,173

$905 $905

$1,508 $1,508

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,047 $1,047

$1,042 $1,042

$1,053 $1,053

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,022 $1,022

$1,017 $1,017

$1,028 $1,028

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,368 $4,368

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

5.91

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 1, 2026

Burlington, IA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Burlington, IA - Frequently Asked Questions

Burlington offers a friendly, compact setting where prudent budgeting goes a long way. Compared with larger metros, you'll notice a slower pace and steadier everyday costs in groceries, dining, and services. The town's size supports easy errands and walkable neighborhoods, which helps keep transport outlays reasonable if you're often on the move. For longer stays, you can mix reliable basics with occasional treats to keep expenses balanced. Cost of Living in Burlington, IA, United States sets a practical baseline for planning your housing, coworking needs, and leisure. Tip: Do a two-week spending test to see what fits your rhythm.

In Burlington, IA, United States living cost is shaped by a small-city mix of options. Housing ranges from compact downtown rentals to quieter suburbs, with some utilities commonly bundled in the rent. Start your search near the river and downtown for easy access to shops and cafes, then expand to family-friendly neighborhoods if you need parks or schools. Groceries and casual dining are generally affordable, and cycling or short drives keep transport costs reasonable. Tip: ask landlords about included utilities and maintenance to simplify budgeting during a longer stay.

Quality of life here leans on community feel, access to the Mississippi River, and a manageable pace. To balance a flexible budget, adopt a simple framework: separate housing, groceries, and discretionary funds; compare two or three neighborhoods by walkability, noise, and access to amenities; favor areas with convenient transit for occasional trips to larger cities. Visit in different seasons to gauge heating or cooling needs, and plan for occasional travel in shoulder seasons when prices dip. Tip: build a small, month-by-month calendar that highlights when you’ll likely spend more on heating, groceries, or recreation.