What it actually costs to live in Vermont.
Vermont’s cost-of-living index sits at 114 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #12 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Vermont costs about 14% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $385,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,938/mo.
Vermont cost components
| Component | Vermont | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 114 | 100 |
| Median home price | $385,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,938/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $158/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Vermont compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Vermont ranks #12 for cost. That places Vermont in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Vermont metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Burlington has very different housing dynamics than smaller Vermont metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Vermont metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Vermont cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Vermont?
Vermont's MERIC cost-of-living index is 114 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Vermont costs about 14% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in Vermont?
Vermont's state-level median home price is approximately $385,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Vermont?
Vermont's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,938/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Vermont-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Vermont heating-oil/propane dependency for 50%+ of homes adds $2,000–$4,500/winter; Burlington/Stowe/Killington have seen sharp home appreciation from remote-worker influx.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.