Bennington, VT vs South Burlington, VT

The cost of living difference between Bennington, VT and South Burlington, VT is dramatic. Bennington is 31% cheaper than South Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bennington has a cost index of 84 while South Burlington sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bennington is $1,095/month compared to $1,755/month in South Burlington — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bennington is more affordable at $185,100 median vs $399,600.

Median household income in Bennington is $53,839 compared to $97,229 in South Burlington (-44.6%). While South Burlington 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 21.7% in South Burlington.