Are you thinking about moving to Vermont? With picturesque small towns, beautiful scenery, and one of the lowest crime rates in the United States, there are a lot of great reasons to move to Vermont!
If you’re looking for the best places to live in Vermont, I’ve got you covered. As a proud Vermonter for many years, I’ve combined insider insights with research about the practical stuff like employment opportunities and housing costs.
Whether you’re looking for small towns to raise a family or you’re interested in areas of growth where your career can take flight, I can help point you in the right direction today!
So, where in Vermont is the place for you? Let’s talk population, housing costs, job market, cost of living, quality of life, school ratings, and more!
Table of Contents
Best Places to Live in Vermont
Montpelier
Population: 7,966
Median Household Income: $71,163
Median Home Price: $276,100
Median Rent: $1,106
Montpelier is the capital of the Green Mountain State and it just so happens to be one of the best places to live in Vermont!
Located in Washington County, the population is a little under 8,000, so this capital city is still quite quaint! Being that it is a capital city, you’ll find many of the “big city” style amenities that often draw young professionals, like a thriving arts and culture scene, reliable public transportation system, and a thriving job market.
Montpelier also boasts a low poverty rate, low crime rate, excellent school system, and a wide variety of recreational opportunities, both for outdoor enthusiasts and aficionados of history, culture, and the fine arts.
The popular city data website Niche gives the Vermont state capital an overall Niche grade of A, and we agree! Whether you’re looking for family friendly places in Vermont to move to or you’re a young professional looking for a place to spread your wings, Montpelier is an excellent choice.
South Burlington
Population: 20,042
Median Household Income: $83,750
Median Home Price: $327,900
Median Rent: $1,592
With a population around 20,000, South Burlington, Vermont is a great option for those looking for a nice middle ground between Big City (Vermont style, of course) and small town.
South Burlington is one of the most popular places to live in Chittenden County, and it’s especially nice for those looking to be close to Burlington big city things to do while still maintaining a more small town lifestyle, day to day.
The public school system in South Burlington is exceptional, and the city’s crime and poverty rates are far below the national average, making this a very popular place to raise a family in Vermont. The economy is strong in South Burlington, and there are many opportunities for employment both in town and in nearby Burlington.
You’ll find plenty of recreation for the whole family in South Burlington, with fantastic hiking and biking trails, beautiful parks, and plenty of restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. South Burlington received an A+ from Niche, and we get it, especially if you’re looking for top places to raise a family in Vermont.
Middlebury
Population: 9,029
Median Household Income: $68,239
Median Home Price: $301,100
Median Rent: $995
Home to Middlebury College, Middlebury has everything you’d expect from a town with one of the best private liberal arts colleges in the country!
This Addison County gem offers residents a friendly, laid back community feel with public schools that are highly rated, and poverty and crime rates far below the national average.
Middlebury appeals to anyone who is looking for small town Vermont life, while still offering plenty of fun with a thriving downtown full of restaurants, shopping, and more, and a college population that regularly refreshes and brings new life into the town.
Outdoor activities are really where Middlebury shines, with great hiking and walking trails all around town – including part of the Lake Champlain Bikeway – and the Middlebury Snow Bowl awaiting anyone looking to hit the slopes once the fresh pow hits!
If you’re a lover of outdoor activity, beautiful scenery, and small town vibes, your answer to where to live in Vermont might just be Middlebury!
Burlington
Population: 44,703
Median Household Income: $59,331
Median Home Price: $338,100
Median Rent: $1,381
Looking for big city life in Vermont? You’re going to want to head to Burlington, the biggest city in Vermont!
Burlington is different than the South Burlington we’ve already listed, so don’t think these two are basically the same place just because their borders touch! Burlington is a vibrant city, full of entertainment options – both outdoors and in! – and it’s been one of my own personal favorite places to live over the years, as well.
Home to two popular colleges (University of Vermont and Champlain College), Burlington is a highly educated city with many resources for those pursuing higher learning. There is a thriving arts and culture scene that appeals to people from across all age groups and demographics, so whether you’re looking for parks to take the kids to or live music venues to party at on the weekends, you’ll find it in Burlington.
Situated on lovely Lake Champlain, outdoor culture both on and around the lake is very popular, and the open air Church Street Marketplace is a perfect representation of how much Vermonters in Burlington and beyond love to spend their time outdoors! Biking is a very popular way to get around the city.
Since this is Vermont’s biggest city, you’ll find ample employment opportunities in Burlington that may not be accessible in some of the smaller towns on this list. The public school system is excellent, and while crime and poverty is slightly higher in Burlington than some of the other options on this list, they are both still lower than the national average.
Burlington is home to fantastic restaurants, bars, breweries, shopping options, and so much more, so if you’re looking for a place that has both a thriving indoor and outdoor culture, Burlington might be the spot for you. As a young adult, this was absolutely one of my favorite places to live in Vermont!
Jericho
Population: 5,082
Median Household Income: $96,442
Median Home Price: $357,800
Median Rent: $1,076
Jericho is a charming Vermont town located in lovely Chittenden County, with a very friendly community. It’s fairly quaint, offerings residents a small town feel to raise their families in.
Cost of living in Jericho is slightly lower than many other places in Vermont, and employment and job growth opportunities are strong both in town and in nearby Burlington, so this is a great place for both young adults and families to consider when looking for a solid place to live and work.
Crime rates are low in Jericho, and the school system is highly rated, so this is an especially appealing small town in Vermont to raise a family. It’s an especially great option for those looking for small town Vermont vibes within easy driving distance to big city happenings like you’ll find in nearby Burlington.
Shelburne
Population: 7,682
Median Household Income: $96,442
Median Home Price: $417,900
Median Rent: $1,325
Another Chittenden County gem, Shelburne is one of those picturesque towns in Vermont that offers gorgeous scenery year round.
Cost of living is a little higher in this pretty Vermont town, but it is also home to some of the most top rated schools in the state. With ample outdoor recreation opportunities, shops, restaurants, and more, this is a popular place for families to settle near Burlington.
Shelburne is a beautiful, close knit community, and its location on the shores of glittering Lake Champlain make it one of the most popular places to live in Vermont!
Brattleboro
Population: 12,187
Median Household Income: $41,001
Median Home Price: $206,800
Median Rent: $917
Located in Windham County, Brattleboro is a small Vermont town that is a particularly attractive location, right on the border of both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Housing is more affordable in Brattleboro than many other places in Vermont, and it’s on the most affordable end of things for cost of living, as well. The public school system is well rated, and it is one of those Vermont places to live that is especially popular for retirees.
There are plenty of recreational activities available in and around Brattleboro, and it has plenty of shopping, restaurants, and more in its quaint downtown. There is a great arts and culture scene in Brattleboro, and the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center is a popular local attraction. If you’re looking for affordable places to live in Vermont, put Brattleboro on the list, for sure!
Stowe
Population: 5,156
Median Household Income: $74,065
Median Home Price: $523,300
Median Rent: $1,161
Ahh, Stowe! One of the most picturesque Vermont towns on this list, for sure.
Stowe is more than just a charming resort town, it’s also one of the best places to live in the Green Mountain State. The quality of life in Stowe is undeniably very high, with residents enjoying beautiful scenery, a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, and an excellent school system.
That being said, it is very small and tight knit, with more limited housing opportunities and higher median home value than some of the other options on this list. Housing inventory is lower and there’s a huge influx of tourists summer through winter, increasing competition for what is available rental wise.
If money is no option, however, you’ll find some of the most gorgeous homes in Vermont in this beautiful mountain town! Stowe has plenty to offer its year round residents, but it’s not as accessible for those looking for budget housing.
A wide variety of attractions including restaurants, shopping, hiking trails, stunning vistas, and low crime rates make this one of the best places to live in Vermont!
Read Next: 11 Best Hotels in Stowe Vermont | 15 Gorgeous Stowe VT Vacation Rentals
Underhill
Population: 3,142
Median Household Income: $87,227
Median Home Price: $358,000
Median Rent: $1,130
Located at the base of Mount Mansfield, Underhill is a quaint and quiet community that attracts many that come to the area for the incredible scenery and the plethora of outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.
There is a great quality of life to be found in Underhill, with low unemployment, reasonable housing market, and excellent school systems making this Vermont town particularly alluring for families.
This a tight knit, quaint community with plenty of shops and restaurants for its residents, despite its small size. Underhill is another great town in highly sought after Chittenden County, the same county as several other popular places to live in Vermont on this list!
Rutland
Population: 15,934
Median Household Income: $51,868
Median Home Price: $153,700
Median Rent: $809
One of the the biggest cities in Vermont – although that’s not saying much, really! – Rutland is located in lovely Rutland County, offering a great quality of life in an absolutely gorgeous area of VT.
There are plenty of things to do in Rutland, with art galleries, cultural events, shopping opportunities, restaurants galore, and so much more, and it’s a little more affordable than many of the other places on this list.
Nestled beautifully in the Green Mountains, there’s hiking, camping, and so much more all around Rutland, and the job market is steady. Schools are highly rated but there is a higher crime rate here than any of the other Vermont towns on this list, so families looking for a place to land will need to weigh pros and cons!
Norwich
Population: 3,584
Median Household Income: $121,509
Median Home Price: $459,500
Median Rent: $956
Located in Windsor County in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, Norwich, Vermont is one of the best places to live in Vermont by all metrics, really!
You’ve got picturesque scenery and a wide variety of cultural and educational attractions as it sits right across the river from New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College. It is also home to the Montshire Museum of Science.
This is a very safe, affluent community where crime and poverty rates are low and schools are rated very high, so it attracts families with small children. This quaint Vermont town attracts both young professionals and families alike.
Read Next: 21 Must-See Covered Bridges in Vermont (+ A Map!)
Essex Junction
Population: 3,584
Median Household Income: $79,677
Median Home Price: $312,500
Median Rent: $1,412
Another gem of Chittenden County, Essex Junction is a great option for those looking for small town charm near Burlington! It’s quaint and scenic, and well known for its popular annual Champlain Valley Fair.
This is a close knit community where the schools are top notch and the crime rate is low, making this an especially attractive place to live for families to live in Vermont.
There are plenty of great restaurants, stores, and more in Essex Junction, and Burlington is just a few minutes up the road if it’s more big city amenities you’re after. There’s something for everyone in this area of the Green Mountain State!
Vermont is full of green spaces, picturesque towns, and quaint downtowns that feature local shops, farm to table restaurants, and more. You’ll find some of the lowest crime rates, best rated school systems, and some of the best cities to raise a family in Vermont.
Whether you’re searching for a place to start out as a young professional or you’re wanting to put down roots and raise a family, hopefully you’ll find the information on this best places to live in Vermont list helpful!
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Amy Hartle is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of New England With Love, a comprehensive resource for travel in the New England region. Amy has been exploring New England since 2001. She lived in Vermont for many years and is a graduate of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Amy has been writing about travel for over a decade. On this site, Amy aims to share her love of New England and help you to have the best possible adventures!
Amy has been a full time blogger since 2012, and is also the publisher of Two Drifters, where she writes about couples travel and relationships, as well as Let’s Adventure Baby, a family travel site. When not traveling the world or creating epic blog content, Amy can be found cuddling with her husband, son, and cats, & drinking a maple latte.