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Cost of living in Vermont

Everyday prices in Vermont run 2.0% below the US average, the 29th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Vermont next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
VermontUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Vermont?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$95,290
Typical household incomeA year · 16th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,452/mo) against median income ($95,290). 19th lowest of 51.
5.2
Years of income to buy a home$499,450 median listing against $95,290 income. 31st lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Vermont?

726 more people left Vermont for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Vermont next to its neighbors

The states that border Vermont, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 29VermontThis state2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,452
    Typical home
    $499,450
    Net moves
    -726
  2. 43New Hampshire4% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,867
    Typical home
    $590,000
    Net moves
    +6,554
  3. 45Massachusetts6% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $2,121
    Typical home
    $714,250
    Net moves
    -33,340
  4. 47New York8% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,729
    Typical home
    $605,000
    Net moves
    -137,586

Vermont by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Vermont next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Vermont98.086.5$499,450$2,745$1,452
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Vermont next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Vermont98.0$1,452$499,450-726
Massachusetts105.8$2,121$714,250-33,340
New Hampshire104.2$1,867$590,000+6,554
New York107.9$1,729$605,000-137,586

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-462
2020-21+4,838
2021-22+1,111
2022-23+782
2023-24-568
2024-25-726

States with a similar cost of living to Vermont

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Vermont cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Vermont?

Everyday prices in Vermont run 2.0% below the US average, the 29th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 86.5 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $499,450 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,745 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,452 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $130,538 in Vermont.

Is Vermont cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Vermont's regional price parity is 98.0, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 2.0% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Vermont?

The median listed home in Vermont is $499,450 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 36th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,745 a month.

How much is rent in Vermont?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Vermont is $1,452 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Vermont equals $150,000 in New York?

About $130,538, using BEA regional price parities for Vermont (98.0) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Vermont?

726 more people left Vermont for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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