Cost of Living Comparison Between Burlington and Indianapolis, IN Cost of Living Comparison Between Burlington and Indianapolis, IN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,778 per month in Burlington vs $2,705 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,107 per month in Burlington vs $3,869 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,436 per month in Burlington vs $5,034 in Indianapolis, IN, rent included.

Burlington costs about 3% more than Indianapolis, IN, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Burlington and Indianapolis, IN sit above the global median – Burlington by 107%, Indianapolis, IN by 102%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.15 CA$28.02

$25.49 $25.49

-20.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.4 CA$104

$74.3 $74.3

0.17%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.96 CA$15.24

$11.10 $11.10

-1.26%

Cappuccino

$3.67 CA$5.11

$5.40 $5.40

-32.04%

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

$2.01 CA$2.80

$2.86 $2.86

-29.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 CA$2.41

$2.45 $2.45

-29.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.85 CA$8.14

$6.18 $6.18

-5.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.54 CA$9.09

$7.91 $7.91

-17.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.99 CA$2.76

$0.77 $0.77

158.44%

White Bread (500g)

$3.07 CA$4.26

$3.01 $3.01

1.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.31 CA$5.99

$5.10 $5.10

-15.49%

Eggs

$3.19 CA$4.43

$3.43 $3.43

-7.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.65 CA$18.98

$9.39 $9.39

45.37%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.14 CA$12.72

$10.73 $10.73

-14.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.94 CA$30.51

$14.76 $14.76

48.64%

Apples (1kg)

$3.46 CA$4.81

$5.03 $5.03

-31.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 CA$1.98

$1.33 $1.33

6.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.73 CA$5.19

$5.89 $5.89

-36.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.49 CA$4.86

$3.18 $3.18

9.75%

Potato (1kg)

$1.95 CA$2.71

$2.14 $2.14

-8.88%

Onion (1kg)

$1.79 CA$2.48

$2.59 $2.59

-30.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.10 CA$2.93

$1.81 $1.81

16.02%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 CA$2.78

$2.06 $2.06

-2.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 CA$20.50

$9.19 $9.19

60.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.63 CA$17.56

$15.35 $15.35

-17.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 CA$3.29

$1.78 $1.78

32.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 CA$3.24

$2.29 $2.29

1.75%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.39 CA$4.72

$1.78 $1.78

90.45%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$105 CA$146

$60.6 $60.6

73.69%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.32 CA$3.22

$1.97 $1.97

17.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 CA$2.37

$1.76 $1.76

-3.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$43.79 CA$60.9

$33.68 $33.68

30.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 CA$1.63

$0.84 $0.84

39.29%

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

$25.1K CA$34.9K

$33.0K $33.0K

-23.90%

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

$21.4K CA$29.8K

$25.0K $25.0K

-14.27%

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

$131 CA$182

$232 $232

-43.80%

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

$53.2 CA$74.0

$63.8 $63.8

-16.64%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.1 CA$86.3

$74.8 $74.8

-16.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.44 CA$63.2

$34.91 $34.91

30.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.28 CA$32.38

$31.50 $31.50

-26.10%

Cinema Ticket

$11.22 CA$15.60

$14.94 $14.94

-24.90%

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

$952 CA$1,324

$1,767 $1,767

-46.13%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.0K CA$33.3K

$27.1K $27.1K

-11.69%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 CA$86.4

$48.38 $48.38

28.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$69.4 CA$96.5

$40.55 $40.55

71.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.5 CA$122

$99.7 $99.7

-12.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$136 CA$189

$127 $127

7.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,733 CA$2,410

$1,754 $1,754

-1.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,470 CA$2,045

$1,292 $1,292

13.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,640 CA$3,671

$2,859 $2,859

-7.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,440 CA$3,393

$2,100 $2,100

16.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,745 CA$7,989

$2,768 $2,768

107.50%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,546 CA$6,322

$1,899 $1,899

139.34%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,278 CA$4,559

$4,383 $4,383

-25.20%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.4

6.54

-2.14%

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

Last update for Burlington: May 31, 2026

Last update for Indianapolis, IN: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,733 in Burlington versus $1,754 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 34% higher in Indianapolis, IN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $74.0 in Burlington versus $74.0 in Indianapolis, IN. Groceries tell a different story – $375 in Burlington vs $358 in Indianapolis, IN – so Indianapolis, IN wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Yes – Burlington is pricier by about 3%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,167 per month in Burlington and $4,057 in Indianapolis, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Indianapolis, IN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $952 per month in Burlington and $1,767 in Indianapolis, IN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% more in Burlington, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,778 in Burlington and $2,705 in Indianapolis, IN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Indianapolis, IN – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Indianapolis, IN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burlington makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.