Cost of Living in Brandon, VT

Population 4,121 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

74
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 Brandon a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $222,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 85 miles northeast of Albany, Brandon is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Albany's $223,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 76

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

About the Cost of Living in Brandon

The median home value in Brandon is $221,600 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,004/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,115/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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 56.5°F and lows of 34.6°F. Overall, Brandon has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$221,600
27% below avg
Median Rent
$1,004/mo
24% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$992
1 BR
$998
2 BR
$1,257
3 BR
$1,551
4 BR
$1,942
Owner-occupied 80.3%
Renter-occupied 19.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,004
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,618/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
23.6 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.2%
Carpooled
5.0%
Public transit
2.0%
Work from home
11.3%

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
$56,115
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,846
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
86% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor Force Participation
48.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 12.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.5
Male median age 51.9
Female median age 50.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.5°F
Avg Low
34.6°F
Annual Precip
40.3"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303342566876818072594635
Low °F 111321324352575548372818
Precip" 2.802.232.983.353.493.783.863.563.614.163.343.17

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
147
Max AQI recorded
188
PM2.5 days
175
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brandon, VT?

Brandon has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brandon, VT?

The median gross rent in Brandon is $1,004 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brandon?

The median home value in Brandon is $221,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brandon?

The median household income in Brandon is $56,115 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brandon, VT?

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

Is Brandon, VT affordable?

Yes, Brandon is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Brandon?

Brandon has average high temperatures of 56.5°F and average lows of 34.6°F. Annual precipitation is 40.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brandon at a Glance

Population
4,121
Median Income
$56,115
Home Value
$221,600
Median Rent
$1,004/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
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🗺️ County data for Vermont

Explore county-level cost of living data