Cost of Living in St. Johnsbury, VT

Population 5,945 · Vermont · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Johnsbury sits on the smaller end of the Vermont city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Around 20% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

St. Johnsbury lies roughly 105 miles north of the nearest major metro, Manchester — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Manchester's $336,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in St. Johnsbury

The median home value in St. Johnsbury is $171,900 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $887/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,033/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, 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 54.1°F and lows of 33.7°F. Overall, St. Johnsbury has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$171,900
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$183,727
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$887/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1x
Favors buying
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 53.0%
Renter-occupied 47.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$887
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,501/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
19.6 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.2%
Carpooled
8.8%
Walked
4.9%
Work from home
14.6%

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
$49,033
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,754
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
3% below avg
Poverty Rate
20.4%
Labor Force Participation
61.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.3%
Graduate degree 12.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.8
Male median age 42.5
Female median age 47.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
54.1°F
Avg Low
33.7°F
Annual Precip
39.3"
20° 40° 60° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 263039536775807870574332
Low °F 8919324353585648372716
Precip" 2.522.162.423.263.743.814.433.833.323.873.052.93

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Johnsbury, VT?

St. Johnsbury has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Johnsbury, VT?

The median gross rent in St. Johnsbury is $887 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Johnsbury?

The median home value in St. Johnsbury is $171,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in St. Johnsbury?

The median household income in St. Johnsbury is $49,033 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Johnsbury, VT?

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

Is St. Johnsbury, VT affordable?

Yes, St. Johnsbury is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in St. Johnsbury?

St. Johnsbury has average high temperatures of 54.1°F and average lows of 33.7°F. Annual precipitation is 39.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

St. Johnsbury at a Glance

Population
5,945
Median Income
$49,033
Home Value
$171,900
Median Rent
$887/mo
Unemployment
4.7%
Avg High Temp
54.1°F
Sales Tax
6.2%
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🗺️ County data for Vermont

Explore county-level cost of living data

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