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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $941 (excluding rent), and $1,745 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,256 (excluding rent), and $3,608 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.42 $11.42
$7.95 $7.95
$27.82 $27.82
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.2 $61.2
$61.2 $61.2
$143 $143
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.75 $8.75
$5.84 $5.84
$11.67 $11.67
Cappuccino
$5.31 $5.31
$3.91 $3.91
$5.86 $5.86
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.01 $2.01
$4.03 $4.03
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.84 $1.84
$4.1 $4.1
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.59 $3.59
$3.07 $3.07
$11.27 $11.27
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.4 $4.4
$3.91 $3.91
$12.7 $12.7
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.8 $0.8
$0.63 $0.63
$1.32 $1.32
White Bread (500g)
$2.59 $2.59
$1.11 $1.11
$6.67 $6.67
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.85 $7.85
$4.33 $4.33
$12.72 $12.72
Eggs
$3.08 $3.08
$2.05 $2.05
$8.22 $8.22
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.76 $14.76
$13.33 $13.33
$17.64 $17.64
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.15 $13.15
$8.84 $8.84
$17.69 $17.69
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.02 $15.02
$10.81 $10.81
$19.46 $19.46
Apples (1kg)
$5.09 $5.09
$2.25 $2.25
$6.75 $6.75
Banana (1kg)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.33 $1.33
$2.18 $2.18
Oranges (1kg)
$4.9 $4.9
$2.26 $2.26
$9.04 $9.04
Tomato (1kg)
$5.27 $5.27
$4.49 $4.49
$6.79 $6.79
Potato (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$1.76 $1.76
$4.51 $4.51
Onion (1kg)
$2.37 $2.37
$0.71 $0.71
$4.3 $4.3
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.79 $1.79
$0.98 $0.98
$2.42 $2.42
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.37 $2.37
$1.95 $1.95
$2.93 $2.93
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.2 $9.2
$8.29 $8.29
$9.2 $9.2
Wine (Bottle)
$11.79 $11.79
$10.81 $10.81
$19.65 $19.65
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$0.84 $0.84
$4.34 $4.34
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02 $4.02
$4.02 $4.02
$4.02 $4.02
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.28 $1.28
$2.05 $2.05
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.42 $20.42
$15.94 $15.94
$24.9 $24.9
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.82 $8.82
$7.84 $7.84
$9.8 $9.8
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.49 $1.49
$1.43 $1.43
$2 $2
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.35 $25.35
$22.92 $22.92
$30.39 $30.39
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 $0.91
$0.81 $0.81
$1.04 $1.04
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1K $23.1K
$23K $23K
$23.2K $23.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K $23.8K
$22.7K $22.7K
$26K $26K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 $173
$150 $150
$400 $400
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51 $51
$24.59 $24.59
$148 $148
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.6 $50.6
$34.53 $34.53
$121 $121
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.62 $49.62
$17.37 $17.37
$49.62 $49.62
Cinema Ticket
$10.82 $10.82
$5.9 $5.9
$11.8 $11.8
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$728 $728
$728 $728
$1,518 $1,518
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.2K $24.2K
$17.3K $17.3K
$28.1K $28.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.73 $43.73
$27.83 $27.83
$59.6 $59.6
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.67 $30.67
$21.77 $21.77
$39.58 $39.58
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.1 $67.1
$60.4 $60.4
$101 $101
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.48 $38.48
$38.48 $38.48
$38.48 $38.48
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$637 $637
$603 $603
$654 $654
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$656 $656
$639 $639
$688 $688
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,063 $1,063
$962 $962
$1,215 $1,215
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,180 $1,180
$910 $910
$1,517 $1,517
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,049 $1,049
$1,043 $1,043
$1,054 $1,054
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,055 $1,055
$1,050 $1,050
$1,061 $1,061
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,400 $4,400
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.52
5.91
8
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Burlington, IA - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington, IA, United States a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with bigger cities?
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.
What should you know about daily life in Burlington when it comes to housing, food, and transport?
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.
What tips help you maximize quality of life in Burlington and plan a realistic budget across seasons and neighborhoods?
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.
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