Cost of Living in Manchester, VT

With a cost of living index of 87, Manchester, VT is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 13% cheaper than the national average and 4% below the Vermont state average of 92. Manchester is a small community of 642 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Manchester's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $479 (64% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $458,100 (50% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Manchester is $62,813, which is 16% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 9% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.