Cost of Living in Fairfax, VT

Population 5,138 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

103
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Fairfax is a smaller Vermont community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $119,063 and housing costs ($365,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 140 miles northwest of Manchester, Fairfax is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 9% higher than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 78

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

About the Cost of Living in Fairfax

The median home value in Fairfax is $365,100 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,025/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $119,063/year is 60% 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 55.3°F and lows of 35.2°F. Overall, Fairfax has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$365,100
20% above avg
Median Rent
$1,025/mo
22% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,380
1 BR
$1,476
2 BR
$1,936
3 BR
$2,491
4 BR
$2,567
Owner-occupied 83.0%
Renter-occupied 17.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,025
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,639/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
30.0 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.3%
Carpooled
11.7%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
23.8%

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
$119,063
60% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,577
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
59% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.7%
Graduate degree 19.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 40.8
Female median age 40.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.3°F
Avg Low
35.2°F
Annual Precip
30.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 283140546875817971584634
Low °F 101121334453595749382919
Precip" 1.411.221.332.552.884.073.613.583.113.042.331.76

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fairfax, VT?

Fairfax has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.

What is average rent in Fairfax, VT?

The median gross rent in Fairfax is $1,025 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fairfax?

The median home value in Fairfax is $365,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Fairfax?

The median household income in Fairfax is $119,063 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fairfax, VT?

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

Is Fairfax, VT affordable?

Fairfax 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 Fairfax?

Fairfax has average high temperatures of 55.3°F and average lows of 35.2°F. Annual precipitation is 30.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fairfax at a Glance

Population
5,138
Median Income
$119,063
Home Value
$365,100
Median Rent
$1,025/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
55.3°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
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