Vermont Living Report — July 11, 2026

When considering a move to Vermont, the state often presents itself as a pastoral ideal, a landscape of covered bridges and maple sugaring. But for anyone seriously contemplating relocation, the numbers tell a more nuanced story of a small state with big trade-offs. With a population of just 643,816, Vermont is the second least populated state in the U.S., and its character is shaped by this scarcity—of people, of housing, and of certain economic opportunities.

The most immediate reality for newcomers is the housing market. The median home value sits at $272,400, which, while cheaper than the national average, is a significant barrier in a state where the median household income is $74,014 per year. Renting is not a cheap alternative; the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,149 per month. To put that into perspective, the standard affordability guideline suggests housing costs should not exceed 30% of income. A household earning the median income of approximately $6,168 per month would spend about 18.6% of their gross income on that $1,149 rent, which is technically affordable. However, this figure is deceptive. The poverty rate in Vermont is 10.1%, and the median age is 42.9—a sign of an aging population. For those earning less than the median, or for families needing a larger two- or three-bedroom unit, the rental market becomes extremely tight, and affordable options are scarce.

On the employment front, Vermont offers a surprisingly stable labor market. The unemployment

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated July 11, 2026.

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