Montpelier, VT Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Montpelier, VT Summary

Cost of living in Montpelier research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Montpelier is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Vermont, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Montpelier is 117, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Montpelier is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • Montpelier ranks as the #8 cheapest in Vermont out of 12.

  • Montpelier ranks as the #4,212 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Montpelier is $420,747.

  • The median income in Montpelier is $79,175.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
117
Montpelier's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Montpelier, VT?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Montpelier has an overall cost of living index of 117, which is 1.2x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Vermont, Montpelier has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Vermont's index of 111.

The standard of living in Montpelier ranks as #8 most affordable out of the 12 places we measured in Vermont. By definition, that implies Montpelier ranks as the #4 most expensive place in the Green Mountain State.

For more reading on life in Montpelier, check out:

8 out of 12
In Vermont
4,212 out of 6,489
In America

Montpelier Cost Of Living Vs. Vermont

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Montpelier. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Montpelier is 109.

  • The Groceries index in Montpelier is 104.

  • The Health index in Montpelier is 107.

  • The Housing index in Montpelier is 131.

  • The Transportation index in Montpelier is 107.

  • The Utilities index in Montpelier is 123.

Living Expense Montpelier Vermont National Average
Overall 117 111 100
Services 109 106 100
Groceries 104 106 100
Health 107 107 100
Housing 131 113 100
Transportation 107 108 100
Utilities 123 121 100
For more reading on cost of living around Vermont, check out:
Montpelier Cost of Living Vs. VT

Montpelier, VT Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Vermont, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Montpelier is $420,747.

  • The Median Rent in Montpelier is $1,169.

  • The Median Income in Montpelier is $79,175.

  • The Home Value To Income in Montpelier is 5.3x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Montpelier is 0.18x.

Statistic Montpelier Vermont United States
Median Home Value $420,747 $400,246 $303,400
Median Rent $1,169 $1,193 $1,348
Median Income $79,175 $78,024 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.3x 5.1x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.18x 0.21x
$420,747
Median Home Value
$1,169
Median Rent
$79,175
Median Income

Montpelier, VT Costs By Category

Detailed Montpelier Services Costs Vs. Vermont

Item Montpelier Vermont
Shampoo $1.23 $1.28
Movie $11.94 $12.13
Bowling $15.67 $18
Haircut $26.98 $24.26
Beauty Salon $46.44 $45.56

Detailed Montpelier Groceries Costs Vs. Vermont

Item Montpelier Vermont
Ground Beef $5.76 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.72 $1.57
Milk $4.82 $4.67
Potatoes $4.97 $4.93
Pizza $12.05 $12.09
Beer $10.01 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.73 $3.7

Detailed Montpelier Health Costs Vs. Vermont

Item Montpelier Vermont
Optometrist $141.67 $125.68
Doctor $152.78 $135.78
Dentist $130.83 $113.29

Detailed Montpelier Transportation Costs Vs. Vermont

Item Montpelier Vermont
Gasoline $3.59 $3.46
Tire Balancing $68.6 $59.92

Detailed Montpelier Utilities Costs Vs. Vermont

Item Montpelier Vermont
All Electricity $262.67 $193.99
Phone $186.03 $192.25

Montpelier SnackAbility

8.5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8.5/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
6
Diversity
5
Safety
6
Amenities
7
Education
10
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Montpelier

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Montpelier. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Barre, VT has a cost of living index of 102, 0.9x Montpelier.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Montpelier
Barre, VT 8,461 102 0.9x

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