So, you’re curious about living in Vermont? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Vermont.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Vermont matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Vermont is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Vermont
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Vermont is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Vermont:
- Vermont is a small state with beautiful scenery and lots of hiking trails.
- There are many outdoor activities available such as skiing, fishing, kayaking and ATV riding – not just for the winter months!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Vermont:
- There are school districts in our neighboring states that offer a better education for your tax dollars.
- The cost of living index ranks among America’s lowest which means wages aren’t high here either.
Read More: Is Vermont a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Vermont
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Vermont? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Vermont!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Vermont.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Vermont:
- Norwich
- South Burlington
Read More: Best Places to Live in Vermont
Checklist for Moving to Vermont
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Vermont. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Vermont.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Vermont:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Vermont driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Vermont
- Getting Vermont car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Vermont and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Vermont.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Vermont and your previous home state.
Visit your Vermont Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Vermont Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Vermont.
Things to Know About Living in Vermont
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Vermont, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Vermont
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Vermont ranks 40th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 116.3, meaning it’s a relatively more expensive place to live.
Here is how Vermont scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 109.5
- Housing: 136.7
- Utilities: 120.6
- Transportation: 116.4
- Health: 98.5
- Miscellaneous: 104.1
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Vermont
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Vermont from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Vermont’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6%, with an average local rate of .24% (the highest local sales tax rate is 1%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 6.24%.
Check with the Vermont tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Vermont
If you own or plan to own real estate in Vermont, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Vermont ranks 47th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.9%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Vermont tax office for the most current tax rates.
Vermont’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Vermont is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Vermont ranks 51st for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Professional and business services
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Finance and insurance
- Wholesale trade
- Construction
- Information
The top employer in Vermont is The University of Vermont Medical Center.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Vermont
Our Vermont moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Vermont is its covered bridges.
Facts about Vermont
Vermont is the 14th state of the United States that lies in the northeast region. To its north is Canada, to its south is Massachusetts, to its east is New Hampshire, and to its west is New York.
What is the capital of Vermont?
The capital of Vermont is Montpelier.
Montpelier is located in Washington County with a population of 7,855.
What is the population of Vermont?
The population of Vermont based on 2020 US Census data is 643,077.
What is the largest city in Vermont?
The largest city in Vermont is Burlington.
Burlington has a population of 42,899, and it is located in Chittenden County.
What is the size of Vermont?
Vermont is 9,616 square miles, making it the 45th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Vermont?
The state motto of Vermont is: Freedom and Unity
What is the state bird of Vermont?
The state bird of Vermont is the Hermit thrush.
What is the state flower of Vermont?
The state flower of Vermont is the Red clover.
What is the state tree of Vermont?
The state tree of Vermont is the Sugar Maple.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Vermont?
The minimum wage in Vermont is $11.75 per hour.
What is the median income in Vermont?
The median annual household salary in Vermont is $60,782.