Cost of Living in Bristol, VT
Population 3,759 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Bristol a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $322,000. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 105 miles northeast of Albany, Bristol is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 44% higher than Albany's $223,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bristol
The median home value in Bristol is $321,600 — 5% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,297/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,287/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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 52.8°F and lows of 32.4°F. Overall, Bristol has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.
Bristol has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 26 | 29 | 38 | 52 | 65 | 73 | 78 | 76 | 69 | 55 | 43 | 31 |
| Low °F | 7 | 9 | 18 | 30 | 42 | 51 | 56 | 54 | 46 | 36 | 26 | 15 |
| Precip" | 2.32 | 2.06 | 2.49 | 3.04 | 3.52 | 4.21 | 4.27 | 3.81 | 3.33 | 3.87 | 2.85 | 2.93 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bristol, VT?
Bristol has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.
What is average rent in Bristol, VT?
The median gross rent in Bristol is $1,297 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $321,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Bristol?
The median household income in Bristol is $83,287 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bristol, VT?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bristol is 6.2%. The Vermont state income tax top rate is 8.8%.
Is Bristol, VT affordable?
Bristol is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Bristol?
Bristol has average high temperatures of 52.8°F and average lows of 32.4°F. Annual precipitation is 38.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Bristol at a Glance
- Population
- 3,759
- Median Income
- $83,287
- Home Value
- $321,600
- Median Rent
- $1,297/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 52.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Vermont Rankings
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