California
High tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 1 categories
Vermont
High tax burden · COL index 111
Wins 11 categories
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Vermont's 8.75%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 28% higher than Vermont (index 111). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Vermont averages 1.73% annually vs California's 0.71%. The median home in California costs $790K vs $380K in Vermont.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
1
California
11
Vermont
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Are people leaving VT?
The drop is only due partly to its aging population. For the second consecutive year, more people moved away from Vermont than relocated to the state. Vermont lost more than 700 residents this way during the 12-month period that ended June 2025, after losing more than 550 residents during the previous year.
Why don't a lot of people live in Vermont?
Vermont's small population—only 71,000 more than Wyoming, despite a 99-year head start in statehood—stems from a combination of geographic and historical factors: Challenging Terrain: The Green Mountains restrict flat land for farming and urban centers, leading to small, scattered communities rather than large cities.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Burlington VT?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Burlington, VT? To live comfortably in Burlington, VT, as a single adult with no dependents, you should aim for a salary around $92,000 before taxes. Expect to pay around $37,044/year for housing, $8,796/year for groceries, and $12,972 for goods and services.
Is Vermont the best state to live in?
Top 10 states in America for quality of life, per CNBC Here are the top 10 states in America in terms of quality of life, according to CNBC, along with their "2025 Quality of Life Scores." Four New England states made the list: Vermont (228/265 score) Maine (207/265 score) New Jersey (201/265 score)