Best Places to Live in Vermont (2025)

Discover the best neighborhoods in Vermont. From Burlington's lakefront college town to ski communities near Stowe and historic Main Street villages, explore Vermont living through detailed neighborhood guides.

Vermont Neighborhood Guides

Explore our detailed guides for Vermont's best neighborhoods. Each guide provides in-depth analysis of local characteristics, cost of living, and lifestyle fit.

Why Move to Vermont?

Vermont offers quintessential New England small-town living combined with outdoor recreation paradise and strong community values. The state features world-class skiing, farm-to-table food culture, maple syrup production, and remarkably low crime rates. Burlington anchors the state with University of Vermont and Lake Champlain waterfront, while countless villages maintain historic charm with covered bridges and town greens.

Our Vermont neighborhood guides analyze real data on cost of living, school ratings, ski resort access, and community characteristics to help you find your perfect match. Whether you prioritize Burlington's college town energy with lake views, ski town living near Stowe or Killington, historic village charm with local businesses, or remote rural homesteads, these guides provide detailed insights into Vermont's most livable communities.

3.35-8.75%
State Income Tax
643K+
Population
20+
Ski Areas
Very Low
Crime Rate

Vermont Regions: Where to Live

Burlington & Lake Champlain Valley

Known for: University of Vermont, Church Street Marketplace, Lake Champlain waterfront, bike-friendly culture. Burlington offers Vermont's only real urban option with walkable downtown, restaurants, and cultural amenities. Surrounding towns like South Burlington and Williston provide suburban options. Montreal just 90 minutes north. Most employment opportunities in state.

Stowe & Northern Ski Country

Known for: World-class skiing, Mountain Road dining, four-season resort town, Trapp Family Lodge. Stowe combines upscale mountain living with outdoor recreation access. Strong second-home market. Ben & Jerry's factory nearby. Premium pricing but quintessential Vermont mountain town experience. Appeals to ski enthusiasts and those seeking resort town lifestyle.

Montpelier & Central Vermont

Known for: State capital, smallest state capital in US, local food scene, walkable downtown. Montpelier offers government jobs in charming village setting. Nearby Barre features granite heritage. More affordable than Burlington or ski towns while maintaining Vermont character. Appeals to those seeking small-town living with state employment.

Brattleboro & Southern Vermont

Known for: Arts community, Marlboro Music Festival, proximity to Massachusetts, Connecticut River valley. Brattleboro features co-op grocery, local businesses, and progressive culture. More accessible to Boston/New York than northern Vermont. Bennington College adds intellectual atmosphere. Appeals to artists, retirees, and those seeking Vermont living with southern access.

Mad River Valley & Central Mountains

Known for: Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas, farm-to-table dining, rural character, creative community. Waitsfield and Warren offer classic Vermont village living with serious skiing nearby. Strong local food and arts culture. More authentic and less commercialized than Stowe. Popular with ski families and remote workers seeking mountain lifestyle.

Compare Vermont Cost of Living by ZIP Code

Use our interactive calculator to compare living expenses between any Vermont ZIP codes. See how housing, food, transportation, and other costs differ across the Green Mountain State.

Compare Vermont ZIP Codes