Montpelier, VT vs St. Johnsbury, VT

The cost of living difference between Montpelier, VT and St. Johnsbury, VT is dramatic. St. Johnsbury is 30.3% cheaper than Montpelier, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Montpelier has a cost index of 99 while St. Johnsbury sits at 76, 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 Montpelier is $1,169/month compared to $887/month in St. Johnsbury — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Johnsbury is more affordable at $171,900 median vs $349,200.

Median household income in Montpelier is $79,175 compared to $49,033 in St. Johnsbury (+61.5%). While Montpelier is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Montpelier spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in St. Johnsbury.