Cost of Living in Bennington, VT

Population 15,313 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Bennington a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $202,000.

Bennington is about 35 miles east of Albany, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 84

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bennington

The median home value in Bennington is $201,900 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,102/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,750/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Vermont's top state income tax rate is 8.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.2%. The climate averages highs of 57.6°F and lows of 35.8°F. Overall, Bennington has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$201,900
34% below avg
Median Rent
$1,102/mo
16% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$936
1 BR
$1,069
2 BR
$1,225
3 BR
$1,709
4 BR
$1,986
Owner-occupied 59.6%
Renter-occupied 40.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,102
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,716/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
14.9 min
45% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.4%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
4.8%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
11.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 8.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.2%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.2%
Property Tax 1.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$60,750
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,873
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Labor Force Participation
48.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.1%
Graduate degree 18.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.2
Male median age 44.2
Female median age 44.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.6°F
Avg Low
35.8°F
Annual Precip
38.6"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323544576976817972604938
Low °F 131423344452575548382921
Precip" 2.371.942.652.493.474.054.653.863.823.612.772.90

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
80.8%
Good air days/yr
157
Max AQI recorded
144
PM2.5 days
215
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bennington, VT?

Bennington has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bennington, VT?

The median gross rent in Bennington is $1,102 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bennington?

The median home value in Bennington is $201,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Bennington?

The median household income in Bennington is $60,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bennington, VT?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bennington is 6.2%. The Vermont state income tax top rate is 8.8%.

Is Bennington, VT affordable?

Yes, Bennington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bennington?

Bennington has average high temperatures of 57.6°F and average lows of 35.8°F. Annual precipitation is 38.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bennington at a Glance

Population
15,313
Median Income
$60,750
Home Value
$201,900
Median Rent
$1,102/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Avg High Temp
57.6°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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