Bristol, VT vs Poultney, VT

The cost of living difference between Bristol, VT and Poultney, VT is dramatic. Poultney is 32% cheaper than Bristol, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bristol has a cost index of 99 while Poultney sits at 75, 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 Bristol is $1,290/month compared to $833/month in Poultney — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Poultney is more affordable at $175,000 median vs $298,200.

Median household income in Bristol is $71,372 compared to $61,597 in Poultney (+15.9%). Bristol does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bristol spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Poultney.