Fair Haven, VT vs South Barre, VT

The cost of living difference between Fair Haven, VT and South Barre, VT is dramatic. Fair Haven is 30% cheaper than South Barre, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fair Haven has a cost index of 73 while South Barre sits at 105, 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 Fair Haven is $818/month compared to $1,631/month in South Barre — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fair Haven is more affordable at $163,000 median vs $246,900.

Median household income in Fair Haven is $65,898 compared to $78,162 in South Barre (-15.7%). The higher salaries in South Barre partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fair Haven spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25% in South Barre.