Vermont
Vermont ranks #4 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 78.8/100 and a A+ grade. Its strongest category is Health (96/100) and its weakest is Growth (30/100).
How Does Vermont Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Vermont
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | South Burlington | A+ | 68.4 | 20,488 | $97,229 | 254.9 | 100 |
| 34 | Shelburne | A+ | 67.5 | 6,292 | $106,187 | 62.9 | — |
| 48 | Essex Junction | A+ | 66.0 | 10,720 | $94,423 | — | — |
| 64 | Montpelier | A+ | 65.4 | 8,038 | $79,175 | 175 | — |
| 86 | Middlebury | A+ | 64.2 | 7,145 | $74,900 | 185.5 | — |
| 111 | Winooski | A | 63.2 | 8,198 | $77,020 | 365.8 | — |
| 143 | Milton | A | 62.0 | 3,510 | $82,750 | 150 | — |
| 201 | White River Junction | B+ | 60.2 | 2,878 | $73,546 | — | — |
| 210 | Bennington | B+ | 59.9 | 8,888 | $53,839 | 450.6 | 100 |
| 217 | Wilder | B+ | 59.8 | 3,394 | $69,063 | — | — |
| 256 | Northfield | B+ | 58.7 | 4,165 | $50,417 | 219.1 | — |
| 309 | Burlington | B+ | 57.5 | 44,649 | $68,854 | 426.8 | 100 |
| 411 | Springfield | B | 55.1 | 3,882 | $44,375 | 307.1 | 103.5 |
| 486 | Rutland | B | 53.3 | 15,747 | $55,000 | 415.3 | — |
| 501 | Bellows Falls | C+ | 53.0 | 2,851 | $54,836 | 326 | — |
| 506 | St. Johnsbury | C+ | 52.9 | 5,945 | $49,033 | 458.6 | — |
| 535 | Barre | C+ | 52.3 | 8,461 | $53,288 | 511.6 | 93 |
| 543 | Newport | C+ | 52.2 | 4,413 | $48,194 | 524.9 | 97.4 |
| 582 | Brattleboro | C+ | 51.4 | 7,793 | $46,972 | 554.8 | — |
| 650 | St. Albans | C+ | 49.7 | 6,910 | $53,370 | 759.1 | — |
Best Cities in Vermont for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelburne | 70.3 | 73.5 | 90.6 | 53.2 |
| 2 | Middlebury | 69.2 | 73.5 | 87.1 | 56.1 |
| 3 | Montpelier | 68.0 | 73.5 | 81.0 | 58.3 |
| 4 | Northfield | 67.9 | 73.5 | 89.3 | 63.3 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | 67.1 | 73.5 | 78.9 | 55.3 |
More Northeast States
Vermont Rankings Overview
Vermont earns an overall grade of A+ with a composite score of 78.8 out of 100, ranking #4 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Health (96/100) while its biggest challenge is Growth (30/100).
Economy & Employment in Vermont
With an unemployment rate of 2.7% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Vermont performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $74,919, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Vermont
Vermont's violent crime rate of 208 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Vermont
Vermont ranks #3 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #14 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Vermont is 79.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 93%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Vermont
Vermont's total tax burden is 11.53% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 8.75%. The effective property tax rate is 1.78% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.39%.
Housing & Affordability in Vermont
The median home price in Vermont is $388,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 97 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
Environment in Vermont
Vermont has a median air quality index of 34 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 99% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 16.4 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Vermont
Vermont's population growth rate is -0.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.8 per 1,000 residents. 83.7% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Vermont
The top-ranked cities in Vermont based on our composite scoring are South Burlington, Shelburne, and Essex Junction. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Vermont.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vermont's overall ranking?
Vermont ranks #4 out of 50 states with a composite score of 78.8/100 and a grade of A+.
Is Vermont a good place to live?
Vermont ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 78.8/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Vermont?
The violent crime rate in Vermont is 208 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Vermont's economy compare?
Vermont's median household income is $74,919 with an unemployment rate of 2.7%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Vermont?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Vermont are South Burlington, Shelburne, and Essex Junction.
How does Vermont rank for families?
Vermont ranks #4 of 50 states for families with a score of 85.4/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Vermont rank for retirees?
Vermont ranks #2 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 82/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Vermont rank for remote workers?
Vermont ranks #7 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 68.9/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.