Barre, VT vs Montpelier, VT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Barre is 17.9% cheaper than Montpelier. With a cost index of 82 vs 99, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Barre to Montpelier should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barre is $986/month compared to $1,169/month in Montpelier — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barre is more affordable at $200,100 median vs $349,200.

Median household income in Barre is $53,288 compared to $79,175 in Montpelier (-32.7%). While Montpelier is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barre spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Montpelier.