Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Burlington and Indianapolis, IN

For one person, living is cheaper in Burlington: $2,634 a month against $2,785 in Indianapolis, IN, rent and utilities included – about $1,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Burlington
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,634
/mo nomad
Indianapolis, IN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,785
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Burlington and in Indianapolis, IN

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Burlington and in Indianapolis, IN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,634 per month in Burlington vs $2,785 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

  • Burlington $2,634
  • Indianapolis, IN $2,785

A couple spends around $3,790 per month in Burlington vs $3,948 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

  • Burlington $3,790
  • Indianapolis, IN $3,948

A family of three spends $4,946 per month in Burlington vs $5,111 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

  • Burlington $4,946
  • Indianapolis, IN $5,111

Burlington is about 5% cheaper than Indianapolis, IN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Burlington and Indianapolis, IN sit above the global median – Burlington by 95%, Indianapolis, IN by 106%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.10 CA$29.82
$20.31 $20.31
3.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.3 CA$101
$80.8 $80.8
-11.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.70 CA$15.13
$11.83 $11.83
-9.55%
Cappuccino
$3.40 CA$4.81
$5.68 $5.68
-40.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 CA$2.80
$3.25 $3.25
-39.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 CA$2.16
$2.68 $2.68
-42.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.52 CA$7.81
$6.35 $6.35
-13.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.16 CA$8.71
$7.87 $7.87
-21.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.63 CA$3.72
$0.90 $0.90
192.22%
White Bread (500g)
$2.78 CA$3.93
$3.39 $3.39
-17.99%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.71 CA$5.24
$4.67 $4.67
-20.56%
Eggs
$3.51 CA$4.97
$3.61 $3.61
-2.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.94 CA$14.05
$12.53 $12.53
-20.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.43 CA$14.75
$12.77 $12.77
-18.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.22 CA$20.10
$16.96 $16.96
-16.16%
Apples (1kg)
$3.56 CA$5.03
$5.49 $5.49
-35.15%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 CA$2.13
$1.47 $1.47
2.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.72 CA$3.84
$4.94 $4.94
-44.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.53 CA$4.99
$4.35 $4.35
-18.85%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 CA$2.71
$2.40 $2.40
-20.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.84 CA$2.61
$2.97 $2.97
-38.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.05 CA$2.89
$2.42 $2.42
-15.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.47 CA$2.08
$2.49 $2.49
-40.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.04 CA$18.44
$10.24 $10.24
27.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.57 CA$14.94
$15.47 $15.47
-31.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.61 CA$3.69
$2.06 $2.06
26.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85 CA$4.02
$3.47 $3.47
-17.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 CA$3.61
$1.77 $1.77
44.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$97.3 CA$138
$59.5 $59.5
63.59%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.96 CA$7.01
$1.99 $1.99
149.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.39 CA$3.38
$1.75 $1.75
36.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.21 CA$59.7
$33.33 $33.33
26.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 CA$1.63
$0.98 $0.98
17.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K CA$38.5K
$37.1K $37.1K
-26.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K CA$28.5K
$25.7K $25.7K
-21.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$143 CA$202
$232 $232
-38.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.20 CA$62.5
$61.3 $61.3
-27.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.7 CA$94.3
$63.6 $63.6
4.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.3 CA$72.5
$39.74 $39.74
29.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.46 CA$41.65
$41.13 $41.13
-28.37%
Cinema Ticket
$15.93 CA$22.51
$15.09 $15.09
5.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,151 CA$1,628
$1,756 $1,756
-34.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.2K CA$27.1K
$24.6K $24.6K
-22.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.0 CA$96.1
$57.8 $57.8
17.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.8 CA$90.1
$44.68 $44.68
42.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.1 CA$137
$110 $110
-11.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.0 CA$137
$145 $145
-32.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,617 CA$2,286
$1,732 $1,732
-6.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,393 CA$1,969
$1,376 $1,376
1.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,558 CA$3,616
$2,681 $2,681
-4.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,136 CA$3,019
$1,985 $1,985
7.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,013 CA$7,087
$2,787 $2,787
79.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,029 CA$5,696
$1,865 $1,865
116.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burlington
Indianapolis, IN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,161 CA$4,468
$4,595 $4,595
-31.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.52
6.57
-31.20%

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

Last update for Burlington: October 11, 2026

Last update for Indianapolis, IN: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Burlington
$1.4K
Indianapolis, IN
$1.4K 1.2% $17
Groceries & Markets
Burlington
$338
Indianapolis, IN
$407 20.4% $69
Eating Out
Burlington
$296
Indianapolis, IN
$337 14.1% $42
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burlington
$254
Indianapolis, IN
$357 40.7% $103
Clothing & Footwear
Burlington
$147
Indianapolis, IN
$161 9.6% $14
Getting Around
Burlington
$124
Indianapolis, IN
$77 37.9% $47
Sport & Entertainment
Burlington
$83
Indianapolis, IN
$70 15.9% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,617 in Burlington versus $1,732 in Indianapolis, IN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 45% higher in Indianapolis, IN, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Burlington versus $81.0 in Indianapolis, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $338 vs $407 – making Burlington the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Burlington
🇺🇸 Indianapolis, IN
🕒 Local time
17:26 5:26 PM
17:26 5:26 PM
Same time as Burlington
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
183,314
882,039
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Burlington Indianapolis, IN 660 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Burlington
  • Indianapolis, IN

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Burlington vs Indianapolis, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis, IN cheaper than Burlington?
Yes – Indianapolis, IN is pricier by about 6%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,952 per month in Burlington and $4,178 in Indianapolis, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Burlington, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,151 per month in Burlington and $1,756 in Indianapolis, IN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Burlington and in Indianapolis, IN?
Groceries cost about 20% more in Indianapolis, IN, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Burlington or in Indianapolis, IN?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,634 in Burlington and $2,785 in Indianapolis, IN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Burlington or Indianapolis, IN more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Burlington – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Burlington. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Indianapolis, IN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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