Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Nitro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
85% higher compared to Burlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
36% higher than Nitro's.
| Metric | Burlington | Nitro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $1,200 | +36% |
| Groceries | $330 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $111 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $72 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $1,200 | +85% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nitro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $19,440 in Nitro.
| Metric | Burlington | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $78,954 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $19,440 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 78,172 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $53,848 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nitro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burlington is the larger city
— approximately 31.2x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Burlington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 6,366 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 8.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#1Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
Business
70
Nitro
#22West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Burlington and Nitro.
Open Cost Calculator