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

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,768 monthly including rent, or $943 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,638 with rent, or $1,660 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,508 including rent, or $2,377 for daily expenses alone.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.67 $11.67
$8.12 $8.12
$28.42 $28.42
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.7 $60.7
$60.7 $60.7
$142 $142
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.89 $8.89
$5.93 $5.93
$11.86 $11.86
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$4.11 $4.11
$6.17 $6.17
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.96 $1.96
$3.91 $3.91
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.76 $1.76
$3.93 $3.93
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.07 $3.07
$11.25 $11.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46 $4.46
$3.96 $3.96
$12.87 $12.87
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$0.63 $0.63
$1.31 $1.31
White Bread (500g)
$2.51 $2.51
$1.07 $1.07
$6.46 $6.46
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.92 $7.92
$4.37 $4.37
$12.84 $12.84
Eggs
$2.95 $2.95
$1.96 $1.96
$7.85 $7.85
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.87 $14.87
$13.43 $13.43
$17.77 $17.77
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.97 $12.97
$8.72 $8.72
$17.45 $17.45
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.24 $15.24
$10.97 $10.97
$19.74 $19.74
Apples (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$2.21 $2.21
$6.65 $6.65
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$1.31 $1.31
$2.14 $2.14
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 $4.89
$2.25 $2.25
$9.02 $9.02
Tomato (1kg)
$4.98 $4.98
$4.24 $4.24
$6.42 $6.42
Potato (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$1.68 $1.68
$4.32 $4.32
Onion (1kg)
$2.44 $2.44
$0.73 $0.73
$4.43 $4.43
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.85 $1.85
$1.02 $1.02
$2.50 $2.50
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.41 $2.41
$1.98 $1.98
$2.97 $2.97
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.85 $8.85
$7.98 $7.98
$8.85 $8.85
Wine (Bottle)
$11.87 $11.87
$10.88 $10.88
$19.78 $19.78
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$0.84 $0.84
$4.33 $4.33
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 $3.96
$3.96 $3.96
$3.96 $3.96
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.29 $1.29
$2.06 $2.06
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.89 $20.89
$16.30 $16.30
$25.47 $25.47
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.59 $3.59
$3.07 $3.07
$5.12 $5.12
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.60 $1.60
$2.23 $2.23
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.30 $29.30
$26.50 $26.50
$35.13 $35.13
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$0.83 $0.83
$1.07 $1.07
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.4K $23.4K
$23.3K $23.3K
$23.5K $23.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K $24.2K
$23.0K $23.0K
$26.3K $26.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$171 $171
$148 $148
$394 $394
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.6 $51.6
$24.89 $24.89
$149 $149
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.1 $52.1
$35.59 $35.59
$125 $125
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.7 $50.7
$17.75 $17.75
$50.7 $50.7
Cinema Ticket
$10.87 $10.87
$5.93 $5.93
$11.85 $11.85
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$720 $720
$720 $720
$1,500 $1,500
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K $23.6K
$16.9K $16.9K
$27.4K $27.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.38 $43.38
$27.61 $27.61
$59.2 $59.2
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.84 $30.84
$21.89 $21.89
$39.80 $39.80
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.5 $66.5
$59.9 $59.9
$99.8 $99.8
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.57 $37.57
$37.57 $37.57
$37.57 $37.57
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$634 $634
$601 $601
$651 $651
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$664 $664
$648 $648
$697 $697
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,064 $1,064
$962 $962
$1,216 $1,216
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,169 $1,169
$902 $902
$1,503 $1,503
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,030 $1,030
$1,025 $1,025
$1,036 $1,036
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,036 $1,036
$1,031 $1,031
$1,042 $1,042
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,311 $4,311
-
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.

Last update: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $634 for a central one-bedroom, or $664 outside the center. At around 15% of the average salary ($4,311), rent noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,311, while typical expenses reach $1,768. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $403 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $61 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $21 per month.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Public transport monthly pass is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America

Milk is cheaper than 93% of cities in North America

Burlington, IA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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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.
Is Burlington, IA worth the cost of living?
At around $1,768 monthly all-in, Burlington, IA offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Burlington, IA expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Burlington, IA is moderately priced at about $1,768 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
What is a good salary in Burlington, IA?
Earning $2,652 monthly in Burlington, IA means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Burlington, IA?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Burlington, IA range from $664 to $634, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Burlington, IA?
A regular gym membership in Burlington, IA costs around $50.7 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Burlington, IA?
Expect to spend around $403 per month on groceries in Burlington, IA. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $1,500 monthly in Burlington, IA?
Living on $1,500 in Burlington, IA means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,768. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Burlington, IA a good city for digital nomads?
Remote workers pick Burlington, IA for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, family-friendly facilities, all at about $1,768 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.
Can you save money living in Burlington, IA?
Monthly expenses in Burlington, IA run around $1,768, so putting money aside takes more than $2,652 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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