Vermontincome tax up to 8.75%, 5th highest property tax, median home $380K
D+31 · High tax burden · COL index 111
8.75%
Income Tax
167
Violent Crime / 100K
79.8
Life Expectancy
$380K
Median Home
$1,500
Childcare / Mo
Vermont in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Vermont
Vermont has a graduated income tax reaching 8.75%, taxes Social Security above income thresholds, and has an estate tax with a $5 million exemption. Property taxes fund schools statewide and are among the highest in the nation, with income-based adjustments for residents. The state has the second-smallest population in the country and no city over 45,000 people.
What Vermont taxes, and what it doesn't
Vermont levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 8.75%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.6%, about $3,475 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.9%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Vermont has the 16th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 1.73% of home value a year, roughly $6,574 on the state's median home of $380K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Vermont has the 5th highest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.22%, the 16th lowest in the country (the state portion is 6%).
For retirees: Vermont is one of the few states that taxes Social Security benefits, pension income is partly exempt, and an estate tax applies above $5 million.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in Vermont
Vermont's cost of living index is 111, where 100 is the national average; that is the 12th most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $380K, 25% above the national figure and the 20th highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,600 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $900 a year, flood coverage adds about $550 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,090.
Budget $175 a month for electricity and gas, $590 a month in groceries for two, $1,500 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 167 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Vermont is the 2nd safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,390 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 79.8 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 3.8% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Vermont's health system 5th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 6th in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Vermont is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 31 points in 2024.
On guns, no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws B-.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Vermont is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $13.67 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is low. The main hazards are blizzard, flood, nor-easter. Annual average air quality index is 27 (under 50 is good).
Vermont has no top-25 hub airport, with about 25 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Vermont
State Profile
Vermont will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$6,574/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Near US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Below national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs are rare here (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Middle of the pack (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
State meals-and-rooms tax registration, 3% STR surcharge (2024), safety posting rules.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Well below national avg (~380)
Property Crime Rate
Below national avg (~2,100)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Below the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates — 5% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Top tier
Life Expectancy
Above national avg (76.4)
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Well below national avg
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
Top 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Below national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Cleaner than US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Near national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mostly rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
14/100K residents — Nation-leading
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Highest brewery density in nation (14/100K); Heady Topper cult following; Stowe Mountain Lodge shows; Green Mountain Bluegrass
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Below national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
State constitutional right; no gestational limit
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
No casinos. Sports betting launched 2024 (mobile). Lottery active.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Vermont's swimming holes widely used for informal nude recreation · Green Mountain Naturists
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Excellent (national avg ~38)
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
No state prohibition; posting governs.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+0.8% job growth · 2.7% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Top healthcare job market
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
High corporate rate — plan entity structure carefully
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Above avg (+0.08 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Sparklers and ground-based only; aerial fireworks banned
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 27°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
6.6% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Veteran property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Vermont counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Vermont
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
VT vs CO
Vermont vs Colorado
COL 111 vs 110 · 8.75% vs 4.4% income tax
Full comparison →
VT vs OR
Vermont vs Oregon
COL 111 vs 110 · 8.75% vs 9.9% income tax
Full comparison →
VT vs CT
Vermont vs Connecticut
COL 111 vs 114 · 8.75% vs 6.99% income tax
Full comparison →
VT vs NH
Vermont vs New Hampshire
COL 111 vs 114 · 8.75% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
Trending in Vermont
Airbnb hosts aren’t the enemy in Vermont’s housing debate - vtdigger.org
vtdigger.org · Sep 4
Affordable housing, community center opens next door to ‘Murder Mart’ - Vermont Daily Chronicle
Vermont Daily Chronicle · Sep 8
Janoo outraises Scott in race for Vermont governor - WCAX
WCAX · Sep 3
What If Gavin Newsom Were Governor of Vermont? - RealClearMarkets
RealClearMarkets · Sep 8
Vermont Governor Election 2026: Latest Polls - The New York Times
The New York Times · Sep 4
What Residents Say
COL Comparison ? : r/NewToVermont
Hi All, I have been researching the heck out of the numbers to try and determine if relocating up there would be feasible from Southeastern Massachusetts, ......
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Vermont Taxpayers are Paying the Price
The Price Tag: Vermont now spends roughly $30,137 per pupil—the 2nd highest rate in the entire country, nearly double the national average of ......
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Same Goes For Vermont. : r/vermont
The cost of living in Vermont is rapidly becoming a crisis. In Brattleboro, the Selectboard/Town Manager is proposing a 22% increase in the ......
reddit.com ↗
A dream : r/vermont
Taxes are very high. The cost of living is high. It's impossible to find a primary care doctor or a dentist. Healthcare is extremely ......
reddit.com ↗
Should I move to Vermont
The two rail lines, the Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express, run once a day in each direction. Cost of living here can be a challenge. I don't ......
reddit.com ↗
I'm worried we may be the last young family to live in my ...
Vermont approaches this ass backwards, they crush the economy with insane taxes and regulations, then whine about how they aren't spending more....
reddit.com ↗
$8K A year in property taxes, I wish : r/burlington
The cost of living is way better. The Internet around here is once of the fastest providers in the nation and I only pay 99.97 per month for ......
reddit.com ↗
VT income based property tax? : r/NewToVermont
Hey Reddit, My wife & I used to live in Burlington (rented, not owned) and then moved away for a bit. We’re looking to move back to VT within the ......
reddit.com ↗
Real Talk on VT Taxes - Winter-loving DINKs (one remote ...
My husband and I are seriously considering a move to VT in the next 2-3 years to be closer to better skiing and more true winters. We've been in ......
reddit.com ↗
When folks want to move to VT… what changes? : r/vermont
I've been seeing comments on why folks asking about moving to VT get sometimes negative feedback. There is no one answer, but I do feel John ......
reddit.com ↗
Vermont will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when Vermont changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.