Cost of Living in Vermont (VT)
Compare costs across 2 Vermont cities. From home services to salaries, see how VT stacks up against the national average.
2
Cities
115
Avg Cost Index
$51K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Vermont's average cost index is 115, which is above the national baseline of 100. Montpelier is the most affordable tracked city in VT at index 112, while Burlington is the most expensive at index 118.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 6 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Vermont Highlights: Most affordable city: Montpelier (index 112). Most expensive: Burlington (index 118). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 6 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
115/100
Vermont is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Montpelier
Montpelier has a cost index of 112.
Most expensive
Burlington
Burlington has a cost index of 118.
Income average
$51K
Average median household income across 2 tracked VT cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Vermont
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 45K | 118 | $48K | small |
| Montpelier | 8K | 112 | $53K | small |
Vermont State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Vermont.
State Income Tax
3.35-8.75%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6.36%
6% state + 0.36% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.83%
~$5,490/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Vermont uses a progressive income tax at 3.35-8.75%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Montpelier if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Vermont.
- Compare Burlington against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.