Vermont has a cost of living index of 92 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $72,974 and a population of 276,527. We ranked 13 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Vermont.
Essex Junction is 10% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $94,423 and a population of 10,720.
Montpelier is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $79,175 and a population of 8,038.
Rutland is 22% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $55,000 and a population of 15,747.
Shelburne is 14% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $106,187 and a population of 6,292.
Bennington is 16% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $53,839 and a population of 8,888.
South Burlington is 21% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $97,229 and a population of 20,488.
Barre is 18% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $53,288 and a population of 8,461.
St. Johnsbury is 24% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $49,033 and a population of 5,945.
Middlebury is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $74,900 and a population of 7,145.
St. Albans is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $53,370 and a population of 6,910.
Winooski is 14% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $77,020 and a population of 8,198.
Brattleboro is 14% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $46,972 and a population of 7,793.
Burlington is 17% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $68,854 and a population of 44,649.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.