Cost of Living for Vermont (2026)
Vermont (VT) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
114
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$65,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,200/month
State Income Tax Rate
8.75%
How This Calculator Works in Vermont
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Vermont and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Vermont's cost of living index of 114 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Vermont Overview
Vermont has a cost of living index of 114, where 100 represents the national average. Burlington and ski resort areas drive Vermont's above-average cost of living. Rural Vermont is more affordable but can have high heating costs in winter. The median household income is $65,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $57,018 in an average-cost location.
How Vermont Compares
Vermont's cost of living index of 114 compares to New Hampshire's 113 and Massachusetts's 135. Residents in Vermont generally need higher incomes to maintain the same standard of living as those in more affordable states. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 36% less than Vermont, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 68% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | COL Index: 113 | New Hampshire has a cost of living index of 113 and a median household income of $83,000. It is more affordable than Vermont. |
| Massachusetts | COL Index: 135 | Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 135 and a median household income of $89,000. It is more expensive than Vermont. |
| New York | COL Index: 127 | New York has a cost of living index of 127 and a median household income of $72,000. It is more expensive than Vermont. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Vermont's index of 114 is above the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Vermont's median household income of $65,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Vermont Residents
- 1Burlington and ski resort areas drive Vermont's above-average cost of living. Rural Vermont is more affordable but can have high heating costs in winter.
- 2Vermont's median household income of $65,000 has a real purchasing power of about $57,018 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Vermont's top state income tax rate of 8.75% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Vermont between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.