Vermont Living Report — October 05, 2026

Vermont has long occupied a particular place in the American imagination—a landscape of rolling hills, covered bridges, and maple syrup stands that seem to belong to another century. But for anyone seriously considering a move to the Green Mountain State, the reality behind the postcard image is more nuanced, and more compelling, than nostalgia alone.

Housing is often the first question, and the numbers paint a mixed picture. The median one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,149 per month, while the median home value sits at $272,400. Against a median household income of $74,014 per year, that rent consumes roughly 18.6 percent of gross monthly income—well below the 30 percent threshold that housing experts consider affordable. For renters, Vermont looks surprisingly accessible. Homebuyers face a different equation: though prices are far below those in neighboring Massachusetts or New York, inventory remains tight, and the state’s median age of 42.9 suggests many properties are held by longer-term owners not eager to sell.

The job market, meanwhile, is a quiet bright spot. With an unemployment rate of just 2.5 percent as of August 2026, Vermont’s economy is effectively at full employment. The low rate reflects both a small labor pool—the state’s population hovers at 643,816—and steady demand in sectors like healthcare,

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated October 05, 2026.

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