Best places to live in Vermont
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
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.
#10. Charlotte
- Population: 3,820
- Median home value: $538,100 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,794 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $108,611
- Top public schools: Champlain Valley Union High School (A), Charlotte Central School (A), Willsboro Central School (C)
#9. Jericho
- Population: 5,030
- Median home value: $320,300 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,040 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $100,110
- Top public schools: Mt. Mansfield Union High School (A), Camels Hump Middle School (A), Browns River Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Saxon Hill School
#8. Essex Junction
- Population: 10,603
- Median home value: $298,200 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,313 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $80,019
- Top public schools: Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School (A), Essex High School (A), Thomas Fleming School (A-)
#7. Essex
- Population: 21,467
- Median home value: $301,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $84,588
- Top public schools: Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School (A), Essex High School (A), Thomas Fleming School (A-)
- Top private schools: Bellcate School
#6. Middlebury
- Population: 8,661
- Median home value: $249,800 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,011 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $58,953
- Top public schools: Middlebury Union Middle School (A), Middlebury Union High School (A), Middlebury Id #4 School
- Top private schools: Bridge School
#5. Shelburne
- Population: 7,717
- Median home value: $386,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,730 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $96,165
- Top public schools: Champlain Valley Union High School (A), Shelburne Community School (A-), Willsboro Central School (C)
- Top private schools: Lake Champlain Waldorf School (A), Vermont Day School, Heartworks Preschool, Shelburne
#4. Montpelier
- Population: 7,477
- Median home value: $252,600 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,021 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $65,078
- Top public schools: Montpelier High School (A), Main Street School (A-), Union Elementary School (B)
- Top private schools: Pacem School
#3. Williston
- Population: 9,686
- Median home value: $351,700 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,388 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $94,727
- Top public schools: Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School (A), Champlain Valley Union High School (A), Essex High School (A)
- Top private schools: Trinity Baptist Schools (B+), The Bellwether School, Jean Garvin School
#2. South Burlington
- Population: 19,162
- Median home value: $307,500 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,401 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $73,065
- Top public schools: South Burlington High School (A), Orchard School (A), Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School (A)
- Top private schools: Vermont Commons School (A+), Rice Memorial High School (A), Kids & Fitness
#1. Norwich
- Population: 3,339
- Median home value: $454,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $935 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $121,563
- Top public schools: Marion W. Cross School (A), Dothan Brook School (A-), Ottauquechee School (B+)
