Vermont Living Report — October 06, 2026

Vermont often feels like a quiet counterpoint to the rest of the country—a place where the Green Mountains anchor a landscape of covered bridges, working farms, and village greens. For those considering a move, the state offers a mix of rural charm and pragmatic living, though it’s not without its trade-offs. With a population of 643,816, it’s one of the least populous states, and that sense of space is both its greatest asset and, for some, a challenge.

The cost of living in Vermont is moderate compared to coastal hubs, but it’s not cheap. The median home value sits at $272,400, which is accessible for buyers coming from pricier metros but still requires a solid down payment in many towns. Renters, meanwhile, face a median one-bedroom price of $1,149 per month. That works out to roughly 18.6% of the state’s median household income of $74,014—a notably lighter burden than in many parts of New England. However, poverty remains a concern at 10.1%, and the median age of 42.9 skews older, meaning younger workers may find fewer entry-level opportunities in some regions.

The job market is remarkably tight. The unemployment rate in August 2026 was just 2.5%, reflecting a state that has quietly weathered economic turbulence better than most. Health care, education, and tourism are mainstays, while a growing number of remote workers have found Vermont’s fiber-optic networks sufficient for full-time telecommuting. That influx of location-independent professionals is helping to offset a long-standing outmigration of young people, though it also puts pressure on housing in desirable towns like Burlington

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated October 06, 2026.

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