The 10 Best Places To Live In Vermont For 2026

Source: Wikipedia User Superbug2399 | GFDL

$106,667 median income · $481,493 median home · #1 best place in Vermont

Located in Chittenden County, Vermont

Median income +31% vs VT

$106,667

VT $81k

Median home value +22% vs VT

$481,493

VT $394k

Unemployment +8% vs VT

3.9%

VT 3.6%

Burlington may be the biggest city in Vermont, but South Burlington has the slight edge when it comes to quality of life. You can get sweet views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks from Red Rocks Park, meet the local legends behind Vermont’s top craft beer at the Magic Hat Brewery, and party all night long at the Higher Ground music venue. It’s truly a vibrant city with an endless supply of entertainment and natural splendor. Unfortunately, it also ranks among Vermont’s most expensive cities, with the highest cost of living anywhere on this list. Rent in South Burlington goes for around $1,787/month, and buying a home here will set you back around $481,493. On the bright side, South Burlington also has the 3rd lowest poverty level in Vermont, workers enjoy the 3rd shortest average commute time at 18 minutes, and public schools are among the best in Vermont. South Burlington’s residents are also the best-paid in the state, with a typical household bringing home $106,667/year. South Burlington has grown by nearly 10% since 2010, as savvy movers catch on to how awesome life is here.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User The original uploader was Decumanus at English Wikipedia | GFDL

$81,030 median income · $414,351 median home · #2 best place in Vermont

Located in Washington County, Vermont

Median income 0% vs VT

$81,030

VT $81k

Median home value +5% vs VT

$414,351

VT $394k

Unemployment -33% vs VT

2.4%

VT 3.6%

State capitals rarely make these lists, but Montpelier has always been a bit of an odd city out. It’s the only capital city in America without a McDonald’s, to give you an idea. While small, Montpelier has no shortage of things to do. A visit to the Vermont State House is always fun, Bragg Farm has you covered for all things maple-related, Lost Nation Theater is constantly fostering local artistry, and hiking Camel’s Hump is a goal or source of pride for every local. With a median age of 42, Montpelier is the oldest city on this list. It’s also the best-educated, seeing as over 60% of residents have a college degree and nearly a third have a master’s degree, PhD, or professional degree. All those fancy degrees pay off, as Montpelier residents enjoy the 3rd highest median household income in the state at $81,030/year. Since smart, moneyed individuals rarely go in for crime, it makes sense that the violent crime rate in Montpelier ranks as the 4th lowest in the state.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Located a half-hour east of Burlington, Jericho clocks in as the 3rd best place to live in Vermont. Parents can rest easy about their children’s education because GreatSchools gave Jericho’s district a 9/10 average score. Jericho also has the lowest high school dropout rate in Vermont. Other impressive statistics include a poverty rate of 1.5% (the lowest in Vermont) and unemployment rate of 0.0%. Homes in Jericho are the most expensive in Vermont at $560,399, but that’s no sweat when you’re also earning the 2nd highest median household income statewide at $89,740/year.

Fancy getting out in nature? Jericho’s got you covered with Mills Riverside Park, a 216-acre park complete with a covered bridge, a pavilion for summer concerts and farmer’s markets, and wonderful views of Mt. Mansfield. The Old Red Mill is an iconic 19th century structure with family-friendly trails around. It also houses the Snowflake Bentley Museum, which is definitely worth a trip.

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Source: Wikipedia User The original uploader was Hortont424 at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 2.5

$79,522 median income · $427,517 median home · #4 best place in Vermont

Located in Chittenden County, Vermont

Median income -2% vs VT

$79,522

VT $81k

Median home value +8% vs VT

$427,517

VT $394k

Unemployment -67% vs VT

1.2%

VT 3.6%

You will find Winooski, the 4th best place to live in Vermont, slightly northeast of Burlington. This city of 8,293 has been on the up and up for the past few decades. After the economic boom–and eventual bust–of the Winooski Falls mill era, which residents and visitors can learn more about at the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum, the area has rebounded nicely.

As far as earnings go, the median household income here of $79,522 may seem low compared to other places, but about 30% of households in Winooski actually bring in $50,000 to $74,999. An amount that pairs well with the median home value of $427,517.

A growing economy is not all Winooski has to offer its residents; a well-rounded quality of life can be found here too. Community members are not wasting precious time sitting in traffic thanks to a commute that is only 22 minutes or fretting about their safety since the city ranks 6th in the state for lowest levels of total crime.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Public domain

$76,587 median income · $357,849 median home · #5 best place in Vermont

Located in Addison County, Vermont

Median income -6% vs VT

$76,587

VT $81k

Median home value -9% vs VT

$357,849

VT $394k

Unemployment -56% vs VT

1.6%

VT 3.6%

Vermont’s oldest and smallest city, Vergennes, comes in as the state’s 5th best place to call home. Vergennes featured on our coverage of the best places to retire in Vermont, and a lot of those same factors come into play here. There’s Button Bay State Park on Lake Champlain for outdoor recreation, and Vergennes’ historic downtown is chock full of quaint, local shops, gorgeous architecture, and some of the best restaurants in the state. And that’s not even getting into the summer concerts and farmer’s market. All those great features wouldn’t be worth much if you couldn’t enjoy them in safety, so it’s good that Vergennes has the lowest crime rate in Vermont. Even if you do get banged up somehow, 94.5% of residents have health insurance, the 15th highest rate statewide. The poverty rate in Vergennes is the 6th lowest in Vermont, while a median household income of $76,587 ranks as the 5th highest statewide.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Kenneth C. Zirkel | CC BY-SA 4.0

$71,109 median income · $506,784 median home · #6 best place in Vermont

Located in Chittenden County, Vermont

Median income -12% vs VT

$71,109

VT $81k

Median home value +29% vs VT

$506,784

VT $394k

Unemployment +19% vs VT

4.3%

VT 3.6%

Ah, Burlington: the heart and soul of Vermont. Home to a thriving arts scene, entrepreneurship out the wazoo, the very best of Vermont’s dining and shopping, and plenty of outdoor recreation, residents of Burlington can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s the youngest city on this list, with a median age of just 27, easily explained by all the University of Vermont and Champlain College students around. Many students never leave, and they can’t be blamed for that. The heart of downtown Burlington is Church Street Marketplace, four blocks of shops, eateries, and street performers. There’s also free WiFi all along Church Street, so your Instagram followers can envy you in real time. You can get almost anywhere following Burlington’s bike path; all the way from downtown-adjacent Waterfront Park to any of the beautiful beaches on Lake Champlain. Is it any wonder Burlington topped our list of the best cities for singles in Vermont? Sure, housing is a bit pricey in Burlington, where rent goes for around $1,649/month, but in general, the cost of living is in line with the Vermont average. For the state’s biggest city, Burlington is also quite safe. Just know that your Burlington neighbors are going to pose a real challenge when pub quiz night rolls around; over half the population has a college degree, and over 20% have a master’s or higher.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States | CC BY-SA 2.0

$66,607 median income · $340,862 median home · #7 best place in Vermont

Located in Franklin County, Vermont

Median income -18% vs VT

$66,607

VT $81k

Median home value -13% vs VT

$340,862

VT $394k

Unemployment -17% vs VT

3.0%

VT 3.6%

Located in Franklin County, Swanton is known for being one of Vermont’s best places to live. Swanton offers affordable housing options for residents with an overall low cost of living and a median home price that is lower than the state average. Swanton is home to beautiful parks, hiking trails, and scenic biking routes, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy outdoor activities. Additionally, the city is conveniently located near Lake Champlain, offering opportunities for boating and fishing. Swanton’s location within the state provides easy access to Burlington, the state’s largest city. Burlington is a short drive away and offers a vibrant downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and cultural events.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY-SA 3.0

$65,625 median income · $300,280 median home · #8 best place in Vermont

Located in Washington County, Vermont

Median income -19% vs VT

$65,625

VT $81k

Median home value -24% vs VT

$300,280

VT $394k

Unemployment +25% vs VT

4.5%

VT 3.6%

Ever wonder what’s behind the ‘Scary Barre’ reputation? The reality is a genuinely livable working-class community. Median rent is just $1,093/month, a breath of fresh air compared to Burlington, and homes average $300,280.

The Millstone Trails network puts mountain biking and hiking in your backyard. Beyond the trails, what keeps people here is authentic community and good local food.

The town’s median household income is $65,625 and unemployment sits at 4.5%, solid numbers for 8,412 people. Not too shabby for one of the best Vermont cities to live in that hardly anyone talks about.

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Source: Wikipedia User Wayne Blanchard (VtWayne at en.wikipedia) | GFDL

$56,086 median income · $235,015 median home · #9 best place in Vermont

Located in Windham County, Vermont

Median income -31% vs VT

$56,086

VT $81k

Median home value -40% vs VT

$235,015

VT $394k

Unemployment +225% vs VT

11.7%

VT 3.6%

Bellows Falls, ranked as the number 9 best place to live in Vermont, is a hidden gem known for its low cost of living and charming community. Located in Windham County, Bellows Falls offers plenty of things for its residents to enjoy. One of the main draws of Bellows Falls is its affordability. With a median home price of $235,015 and a median rent of $1,038, it is one of the best places to live in terms of cost of living. Residents can enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank. The village is home to the Green Mountain Railroad, a heritage railroad that offers scenic rides through the picturesque Vermont landscape. The annual Roots on the River Festival and the No Film Film Festival also add to the vibrant cultural scene in Bellows Falls.

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In Vermont’s southwestern corner, Poultney is one of the best places to live in Vermont if you love the outdoors. At 1,033 residents, this compact village offers surprising economic strength. A median household income of $70,536 and a poverty rate ranking 5th lowest in the state.

Lake Saint Catherine State Park is just south, providing year-round recreation, while nearby bike routes like the Eastern Divide Trail give you endless outdoor options. With median rent around $868/month, Poultney offers small-town living without the premium price tag.

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