Bennington, VT vs Middlebury, VT

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bennington is 21.2% cheaper than Middlebury. With a cost index of 84 vs 106, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bennington to Middlebury should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bennington is $1,095/month compared to $1,287/month in Middlebury — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bennington is more affordable at $185,100 median vs $388,100.

Median household income in Bennington is $53,839 compared to $74,900 in Middlebury (-28.1%). While Middlebury is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bennington spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Middlebury.