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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,036 (excluding rent), and $2,599 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,514 (excluding rent), and $5,034 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.77 $18.77

$11.86 $11.86

$34.59 $34.59

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.4 $74.4

$49.59 $49.59

$124 $124

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.20 $11.20

$10.19 $10.19

$14.26 $14.26

Cappuccino

$5.15 $5.15

$3.55 $3.55

$8.11 $8.11

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

$2.47 $2.47

$1.95 $1.95

$3.89 $3.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.48 $1.48

$2.96 $2.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.07 $6.07

$4.04 $4.04

$8.09 $8.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.10 $7.10

$5.07 $5.07

$10.15 $10.15

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.77 $0.77

$1.48 $1.48

White Bread (500g)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.03 $2.03

$5.38 $5.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$2.11 $2.11

$8.67 $8.67

Eggs

$4.23 $4.23

$2.04 $2.04

$7.14 $7.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.03 $12.03

$6.87 $6.87

$21.63 $21.63

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.59 $11.59

$6.21 $6.21

$20.11 $20.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.66 $15.66

$10.07 $10.07

$24.62 $24.62

Apples (1kg)

$4.85 $4.85

$2.54 $2.54

$8.74 $8.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 $1.64

$1.13 $1.13

$4.27 $4.27

Oranges (1kg)

$4.16 $4.16

$2.15 $2.15

$8.62 $8.62

Tomato (1kg)

$4.70 $4.70

$2.19 $2.19

$8.77 $8.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.31 $1.31

$6.10 $6.10

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.78 $1.78

$4.28 $4.28

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.37 $1.37

$2.96 $2.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.22 $1.22

$3.30 $3.30

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.77 $9.77

$8.15 $8.15

$12.22 $12.22

Wine (Bottle)

$13.91 $13.91

$8.94 $8.94

$21.86 $21.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.72 $1.72

$2.84 $2.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.56 $1.56

$5.86 $5.86

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.45 $3.45

$2.95 $2.95

$4.92 $4.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.54 $1.54

$2.15 $2.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.79 $28.79

$26.03 $26.03

$34.52 $34.52

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.74 $0.74

$0.97 $0.97

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

$30.0K $30.0K

$24.0K $24.0K

$36.5K $36.5K

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$25.1K $25.1K

$27.1K $27.1K

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

$190 $190

$122 $122

$348 $348

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

$52.6 $52.6

$29.86 $29.86

$99.5 $99.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$49.67 $49.67

$99.3 $99.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.49 $42.49

$17.29 $17.29

$49.41 $49.41

Cinema Ticket

$13.46 $13.46

$10.97 $10.97

$17.95 $17.95

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

$1,286 $1,286

$991 $991

$1,830 $1,830

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$17.0K $17.0K

$27.5K $27.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.0 $51.0

$30.01 $30.01

$80.0 $80.0

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.79 $40.79

$25.50 $25.50

$66.3 $66.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.0 $88.0

$60.9 $60.9

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 $110

$62.9 $62.9

$197 $197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,588 $1,588

$1,189 $1,189

$1,840 $1,840

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,368 $1,368

$1,011 $1,011

$1,516 $1,516

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,627 $2,627

$1,998 $1,998

$2,996 $2,996

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,187 $2,187

$1,673 $1,673

$2,460 $2,460

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,769 $2,769

$1,964 $1,964

$2,769 $2,769

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,400 $2,400

$1,850 $1,850

$2,400 $2,400

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Burlington, NC 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, NC - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major metros in the region, Burlington offers a friendlier price-to-value balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find comfortable housing options in quieter neighborhoods and easy access to parks, cafes, and coworking spaces without the premium you’d pay in larger cities. Daily essentials – groceries, meals, and transit – tend to fit a moderate budget if you plan ahead and mix local options with occasional splurges. Proximity to Greensboro and other hubs also helps you compare services and stay flexible without long commutes. Cost of Living in Burlington, NC, United States is a useful baseline for planning your stay or move. Tip: Map your week around a few core neighborhoods to keep costs predictable.

Daily life in Burlington revolves around a walkable downtown, quieter residential pockets, and easy access to parks and cafes. Housing search tends to cluster around tree-lined streets, with a mix of apartments and small houses you can tour on weekends. Food options range from farmers markets and casual eateries to reliable supermarkets, making it easy to cook at home or try diverse dining. For getting around, a car is common, while local bus routes and bike lanes support shorter trips to errands or coworking spaces. Co-working hubs, libraries, and wifi-friendly cafes help you stay productive as a remote worker. Burlington, NC, United States living cost stays sensible for steady budgeting. Tip: Plan your calendar around a core set of neighborhoods to keep commuting and costs predictable.

Quality of life in Burlington benefits from a relaxed pace and nearby nature, plus a mild climate that makes outdoor activities appealing most of the year. Think in practical budgeting terms: set a simple framework (essentials, savings, discretionary) and track it against a steady monthly rhythm, adjusting for seasonality in energy use and grocery costs. Save by choosing longer rental terms, shopping at local markets, and using public transit or bikes for shorter trips. Neighborhood fit matters – downtown areas suit social nomads and entrepreneurs, while residential belts offer quieter routines and family-friendly amenities. Tip: Build a flexible plan that leaves room for spontaneous weekend explorations.