Cost of Living in Vermont 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 Vermont at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

122

US average = 100 · Above Average

Median Household Income

$67,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$1,400/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

8.75%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$360,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$56,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 Vermont vs the National Average

Cost of Living

122

Vermont runs 22% above the national average (index 122 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). Vermont's limited housing stock and strict local land-use rules have kept new construction slow even as demand from remote workers has grown. On the tax side, Vermont applies a graduated income tax with some of the highest top rates in the country.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in Vermont?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $1,400/month in Vermont, you need roughly $56,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after Vermont taxes

💰 Calculate Vermont Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is Vermont expensive to live in?

Vermont's cost of living index is 122, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 22% above the national average. Vermont's limited housing stock and strict local land-use rules have kept new construction slow even as demand from remote workers has grown. The biggest local industries are tourism, dairy farming, and a niche manufacturing sector, centered around Burlington.

What is the average rent in Vermont in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Vermont averages $1,400/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $67,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 25% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in Vermont?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $56,000/year to cover Vermont's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in Vermont you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after Vermont taxes.

Does Vermont have a state income tax?

Vermont applies a graduated income tax with some of the highest top rates in the country. The listed rate is 8.75%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after Vermont taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in Vermont? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in Vermont 2026 — Full Guide

Vermont's cost of living index sits at 122, meaning it runs 22% above the national average. Vermont's limited housing stock and strict local land-use rules have kept new construction slow even as demand from remote workers has grown.

Vermont's Economy

Vermont's economy centers on tourism, dairy farming, and a niche manufacturing sector, with most of that activity concentrated around Burlington. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in Vermont

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Vermont is approximately $1,400 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $360,000. Vermont's limited housing stock and strict local land-use rules have kept new construction slow even as demand from remote workers has grown.

Taxes in Vermont

Vermont applies a graduated income tax with some of the highest top rates in the country. The current listed rate is 8.75%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inVermont 2026