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Burlington pricier than average
by Dan MacLean
Free Press Staff Writer

The nagging feeling many people have that things — particularly housing — cost more in Burlington and in surrounding communities, was confirmed by data released Wednesday by The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In the first three months of 2006, the cost of living in the Burlington area was 19 percent higher than the national average, with housing costs in the city, South Burlington, Essex, Williston, Winooski and Colchester 44 percent higher, the study said.

A year ago, the region's cost of living was 17 percent higher than the national average and housing 32 percent above average, according to the study by The Council for Community and Economic Research, a community and economic development research organization. Five years ago, the region's cost of living was 13 above the national average.

"High housing costs are clearly a challenge for those seeking to live and work in Greater Burlington," chamber President A. Wayne Roberts said in a statement.

The council, also known as ACCRA, analyzes data from 297 urban areas that choose to take part in the organization's survey.

The national average for housing prices is based on the rent for a two-bedroom apartment and the mortgage payment of a 2,400- square-foot home, said Kristin Silverman, spokeswoman for the chamber.

In the Burlington area, average rent cost $1,015 and the price of a home in the Burlington area was $435,732, Silverman said. The national average was $733 for the rent and $301,514 for the home, according to the study.

The chamber has put housing costs and the tax burden among the region's chief competitiveness challenges. Compared with the national average, the study found that in Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Williston, Winooski and Colchester, prices for miscellaneous goods and services were 13 percent higher, transportation 7 percent higher, and health care and grocery items both 8 percent higher.

The cost of utilities, however, fell from 37 percent above the national average five years ago to 6 percent.

Health care costs have also fallen 5 percent, with respect to the national average.

Contact Dan McLean at (802) 651-4877 or dmclean@bfp.burlingtonfree press.com.