Cost of Living in Essex Junction, VT

Population 10,720 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

118
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Essex Junction is a smaller Vermont community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $94,423 and housing costs ($377,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 130 miles north of Albany, Essex Junction is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 69% higher than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 124
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Essex Junction

The median home value in Essex Junction is $376,800 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,439/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,423/year is 27% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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 56.6°F and lows of 38.6°F, with about 87.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Essex Junction has a cost of living index of 118 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$376,800
24% above avg
Median Rent
$1,439/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,020
1 BR
$1,082
2 BR
$1,301
3 BR
$1,692
4 BR
$1,795
Owner-occupied 61.3%
Renter-occupied 38.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,439
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,053/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
22.1 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.5%
Carpooled
10.8%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$94,423
27% above avg
Per Capita Income
$49,565
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
60% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.8%
Graduate degree 19.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.4
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 45.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.6°F
Avg Low
38.6°F
Annual Precip
37.5"
Annual Snowfall
87.5"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 293241556978828173594635
Low °F 131424364857626153423221
Precip" 2.131.772.243.073.764.264.063.543.673.832.702.50
Snow" 21.119.317.54.10.00.00.00.00.00.35.719.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
71%
Good air days/yr
160
Max AQI recorded
171
PM2.5 days
192
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Essex Junction, VT?

Essex Junction has a cost index of 118 (100 = national average). It is 18% above the national average.

What is average rent in Essex Junction, VT?

The median gross rent in Essex Junction is $1,439 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Essex Junction?

The median home value in Essex Junction is $376,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Essex Junction?

The median household income in Essex Junction is $94,423 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Essex Junction, VT?

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

Is Essex Junction, VT affordable?

Essex Junction is above average in cost of living, with an index of 118 — about 18% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Essex Junction?

Essex Junction has average high temperatures of 56.6°F and average lows of 38.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.5". Average annual snowfall is 87.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Essex Junction at a Glance

Population
10,720
Median Income
$94,423
Home Value
$376,800
Median Rent
$1,439/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
56.6°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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