Best places to live in Vermont
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Vermont using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#4. Five Sisters, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 2,313
- Population: 1,329
- Median household income: $110,217
- Median home value: $478,400 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,386 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Burlington Senior High School (grade B+), Edmunds Elementary School (grade B), Champlain School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Lake Champlain Waldorf School (grade A), Vermont Commons School (grade A), Rice Memorial High School (grade A minus)
#3. Montpelier, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 2,296
- Population: 8,030
- Median household income: $76,143
- Median home value: $326,800 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,155 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Main Street School (grade A minus), Union Elementary School (grade A minus), Montpelier High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Websterville Christian Academy (grade B+), Orchard Valley Waldorf School (grade unavailable), St. Monica - St. Michael School (grade unavailable)
#2. South Burlington, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 1,392
- Population: 20,241
- Median household income: $90,410
- Median home value: $383,300 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,685 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: South Burlington High School (grade A), Orchard School (grade A minus), Essex High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lake Champlain Waldorf School (grade A), Vermont Commons School (grade A), Rice Memorial High School (grade A minus)
#1. Norwich, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 1,235
- Population: 3,620
- Median household income: $131,181
- Median home value: $524,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $991 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Marion W. Cross School (grade A), Ottauquechee School (grade B+), Dothan Brook School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Mid Vermont Christian School (grade A minus), The Sharon Academy (grade B), Thetford Academy (grade B)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
