Vermont
For Americans thinking of retiring to Vermont from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in Vermont run at 98 against a US average of 100, with housing at 86.5. We cover Vermont's 14 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and no town in depth yet.
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
Vermont is not compared with a town — compare two towns instead. Why?
Vermont, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
Vermont's 14 counties
Every county in Vermont on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
- No figure
- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = more)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 14 counties, with their figures
-
Addison County
38,048 residents, 9,519 aged 65 or older (25.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,156 Lower than 7 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Addison County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.82 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 91 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Vergennes (Census, 1 July 2024).
Addison County page → -
Bennington County
36,630 residents, 10,232 aged 65 or older (27.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,369 Lower than 6 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Bennington County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.15 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 64 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,930 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: North Bennington, Manchester, Old Bennington (Census, 1 July 2024).
Bennington County page → -
Caledonia County
30,414 residents, 7,750 aged 65 or older (25.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,819 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Caledonia County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.08 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 71 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest place: West Burke (Census, 1 July 2024).
Caledonia County page → -
Chittenden County
169,115 residents, 32,933 aged 65 or older (19.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.9 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,915 Lower than 8 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Chittenden County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.81 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 92 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Burlington, South Burlington, Essex Junction (Census, 1 July 2024).
Chittenden County page → -
Essex County
6,051 residents, 1,796 aged 65 or older (29.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,800 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Essex County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.40 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 44 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,870 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Essex County page → -
Franklin County
51,177 residents, 10,245 aged 65 or older (20.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.9 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,586 Lower than 10 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Franklin County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.93 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 83 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: St. Albans, Swanton, Enosburg Falls (Census, 1 July 2024).
Franklin County page → -
Grand Isle County
7,511 residents, 2,163 aged 65 or older (28.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 100.9 Cheaper than 7 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Burlington-South Burlington, VT metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,256 Lower than 13 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Grand Isle County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 5.0 months a year More than 39 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.26 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 55 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Alburgh (Census, 1 July 2024).
Grand Isle County page → -
Lamoille County
26,294 residents, 5,800 aged 65 or older (22.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,138 Lower than 7 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Lamoille County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.05 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 73 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Morrisville, Johnson, Jeffersonville (Census, 1 July 2024).
Lamoille County page → -
Orange County
30,002 residents, 7,866 aged 65 or older (26.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,468 Lower than 5 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Orange County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.23 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 57 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,990 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Newbury, Wells River (Census, 1 July 2024).
Orange County page → -
Orleans County
27,600 residents, 7,176 aged 65 or older (26.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,426 Lower than 5 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Orleans County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 3.0 months a year More than 2 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.16 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 63 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Newport, Orleans, Barton (Census, 1 July 2024).
Orleans County page → -
Rutland County
59,653 residents, 16,694 aged 65 or older (28.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,980 Lower than 3 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Rutland County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.87 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 87 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Rutland, Poultney (Census, 1 July 2024).
Rutland County page → -
Washington County
59,652 residents, 14,371 aged 65 or older (24.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,751 Lower than 4 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Washington County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.27 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 54 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Barre, Montpelier, Marshfield (Census, 1 July 2024).
Washington County page → -
Windham County
45,204 residents, 12,714 aged 65 or older (28.1 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,979 Lower than 3 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Windham County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.17 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 62 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,930 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Westminster (Census, 1 July 2024).
Windham County page → -
Windsor County
57,312 residents, 16,030 aged 65 or older (28.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.4 Cheaper than 18 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Vermont nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $7,087 Lower than 3 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Windsor County had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 4.0 months a year More than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.27 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 55 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Advantage USD $4,990 · Original + drug plan USD $7,624 a year for two Typical plans; premiums only, not the cost of care
Largest places: Woodstock, Ludlow (Census, 1 July 2024).
Windsor County page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Where Vermont stands, on the six criteria
Vermont's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 12 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of Vermont, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
98.0 Cheaper than 44% of the other 50 · housing 86.5 · goods 97.3 · utilities 125.8 · other services 101.6
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $6,213 (90% margin USD $6,119–$6,307) Lower than 6% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
43 % of residents 65+ Higher than 20% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
2.6 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 2.1–3.2) Lower than 88% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
4.0 months a year More than 18% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $1.03 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 78% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in Vermont
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in Vermont, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
USD $4,930 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,870)
At most USD $19,230 in a bad year (from USD $19,170), with each person's in-network out-of-pocket maximum
The middle of the 3 plans offered here; "from" is the lowest premium among them.
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $7,624 a year for two in premiums (from USD $5,189)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 10 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of Vermont's 14 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025); 8 have no Advantage plan and are left out of that column.
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Vermont adds no Medigap enrollment right beyond the federal six-month open enrollment period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Vermont's rule
Free, official Medicare counseling in Vermont: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 1-800-642-5119 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to Vermont: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to Vermont, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
- Safety: lower than 88% of the other 50 (2.6 per 100,000 a year). CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence
Cons
- Taxes on a retired couple: higher than 94% of the other 50 (USD $6,213). Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household
- Healthcare access: lower than 80% of the other 50 (43 % of residents 65+). CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
- Climate: fewer than 82% of the other 50 (4.0 months a year). CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
Also shown, not scored
Vermont's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of Vermont — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
644,663 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
155,289 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
26.1 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in Vermont
We apply Vermont's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
Vermont's rules applied
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- Top income-tax rate: 8.75 % Vermont Department of Taxes, 2025 Vermont Tax Rate Schedules · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Social Security exemption: all of it below AGI USD $70,000, a share up to USD $80,000 (joint): 100 % of it Vermont Department of Taxes, 2025 Schedule IN-112 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Standard deduction, married filing jointly: USD $15,300 Vermont Department of Taxes, 2025 Form IN-111 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Additional standard deduction, 65 or older (USD $1,250 each): USD $1,250 per person, from age 65 Vermont Department of Taxes, 2025 Form IN-111 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
- Personal exemption (USD $5,300 each): USD $5,300 per person Vermont Department of Taxes, 2025 Form IN-111 Instructions · checked Oct 26, 2026
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