Average Rent in Burlington, VT: How to Read the Figures
Published rent estimates for Burlington differ, so a single citywide average may not match the apartment you want. Compare figures by source, unit size, and reporting period before planning your budget.
The average rent in Burlington, VT depends on which provider’s estimate you use: current figures here range from $2,062 to $2,600 per month. Zillow puts the average rent in Burlington, VT, at $2,600 across all bedrooms and property types.[1] Apartments.com lists $2,062 per month, while Zumper lists $2,600 for an apartment. [2][3] It also helps to read Is Burlington VT a Good Place to Live? Key Trade-Offs.
These are different provider estimates, not one definitive market average. Zumper also reports that its apartment figure is down 5% year over year. [3] The estimates give you a quick sense of the figures providers report, but they are not a rent quote for a particular home. For example, seeing $2,600 on one provider and $2,062 on another does not tell you what a specific apartment will cost. Treat each number as the estimate from that provider, rather than combining them into a new average. You may also find this useful: Cost of Living in Burlington VT: A Household Budget Guide.
When comparing Burlington rent figures, keep the provider attached to the number: $2,600 from Zillow or Zumper is not interchangeable with $2,062 from Apartments.com. [1][2][3] The rest of the comparison should focus on the kind of rental you have in mind, so a broad city figure does not stand in for a specific unit.
Why do Burlington rent estimates vary?
Burlington rent estimates vary because providers describe different rental pools and may update their figures on different schedules. One estimate covers all bedrooms and property types, while another is presented as an apartment average, so the labels do not describe identical groups of homes. [1] [3]
Check what each figure includes
Before comparing two estimates, read the provider’s definition. “All bedrooms and all property types” is a broad category; “apartments” narrows the category to apartment rentals. [1] [3] For example, a provider that includes several property types may be counting listings that another provider excludes. That difference in scope can help explain why the reported figures are not the same, without showing which estimate is more representative for your search.
Also check when the figure was updated. A page may reflect listings gathered or refreshed at a different time from another provider’s page, so the two figures may not describe the same moment. Check the update date and what each estimate includes before comparing rents. Look for the date and the definition on each page before you use its number; if either is unclear, treat the estimate cautiously.
Keep each provider’s estimate separate rather than calculating a new average from them. A combined number would blur differences in the listing pool, category, and timing, and may not match the rent for the type of home you plan to search.
How can you compare rent by apartment size?
Compare Burlington rents by matching bedroom count and property type, not by relying on one citywide figure. For example, compare one-bedroom apartments with other one-bedroom apartments, rather than weighing one against a two-bedroom unit or a different type of property. That gives you a closer like-for-like comparison.
Apartment List reported a one-bedroom starting rent of $1,735 per month in November 2024. [4] Treat that as a dated reference point, not a current 2026 quote; it describes a starting rent, not an average for every one-bedroom listing.
Rent.com reports a 2026 range of $1,875 to $3,500 and gives $3,500 as the average for a two-bedroom apartment. [5] The reported range does not specify how it groups listings, and the result does not clarify its underlying methodology. Avoid reading the range as a direct price comparison between apartment sizes unless the provider’s definitions make that comparison clear.
When figures appear far apart, check whether they describe the same bedroom count, property type, and measure—such as a starting price, range, or average. You can then compare relevant listings within each group; for instance, put two-bedroom apartments beside other two-bedroom apartments, rather than using the two-bedroom average to judge a one-bedroom unit.
What should you check before setting your budget?
Use the latest rent estimate as a starting point, then build your budget around current listings that match the home you would actually rent. A citywide figure can help you orient yourself, but it may not reflect the price of a particular bedroom count, neighborhood, or property type.
Before relying on a figure, check what it describes and when it was reported. A quoted amount may be a starting rent, an average, or a range; for example, Apartment List labels its Burlington one-bedroom figure as a starting rent and dates it to November 2024. [4] Rent.com gives a range for Burlington apartments in 2026, rather than a single amount. [5] Those labels and dates affect how useful a number is for your plans.
For a practical budget, shortlist actual rentals you might consider and compare their asking rents, bedroom counts, and locations. If you are looking for a two-bedroom near a particular part of town, use listings for that type of unit and area—not a starting price for a one-bedroom or a broad citywide estimate. Keep the listing date with your notes, since the available options and asking prices may change.
You can use an estimate to decide what listings to investigate, but do not assume it is the rent you will pay. Set your working budget from the homes that fit your needs, and leave room to revise it if the current choices differ from your first estimate.
How should you use Burlington’s rent averages?
Treat Burlington’s $2,062 and $2,600 rent figures as provider-specific estimates, not as quotes for the same rental. [2] [1] [3] The useful next step is to compare recent listings that match the home you would actually consider, such as a one-bedroom apartment in your preferred part of the city.
For a practical estimate, note the rent, bedroom count, property type, and listing date for several suitable homes. If you are considering a two-bedroom, for example, use recent two-bedroom listings rather than assuming a citywide average describes that unit. Then base your budget on the options you could realistically rent, and check the current asking price before making plans.