Bristol, VT vs Fairfax, VT

Bristol, VT and Fairfax, VT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Bristol scores 99 while Fairfax scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bristol is $1,290/month compared to $1,009/month in Fairfax — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fairfax has cheaper rent, Bristol actually has lower median home values ($298,200 vs $348,600).

Median household income in Bristol is $71,372 compared to $56,667 in Fairfax (+25.9%). While Bristol is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bristol spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Fairfax.