Salary Needed to Live in Burlington as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $63,349/year to live comfortably in Burlington, VT, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $63,349/year to live comfortably in Burlington, VT. The bare-minimum salary is $58,950/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,737.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,537/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,279/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$63,349
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$58,950
$4,913/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,537
5% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Burlington
| Expense | Burlington | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,237 | $1,448 | -15% |
| Groceries | $222 | $189 | +17% |
| Utilities | $163 | $183 | -11% |
| Transportation | $214 | $211 | +1% |
| Car Insurance | $187 | $229 | -18% |
| Health Insurance | $605 | $690 | -12% |
| Medicare Supplement | $236 | $200 | +18% |
| Prescription Drugs | $177 | $150 | +18% |
| Internet + Phone | $142 | $120 | +18% |
| Recreation & Social | $236 | $200 | +18% |
| Home Maintenance | $118 | $100 | +18% |
| Total Monthly | $3,537 | $3,720 | -5% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,537
Target savings (5%):$200/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,737
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$63,349
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,237
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 35% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus VT state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$200/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
118/100
Burlington is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,237/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $909/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $58,950/year as the survival floor and $63,349/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Burlington
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Burlington?
A retiree needs approximately $63,349/year ($5,279/month gross) to live comfortably in Burlington with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Burlington?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Burlington costs approximately $1,237/month, which is the largest single expense at 35% of the total budget.
Is Burlington affordable for a retiree?
Burlington is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.