Moving to Vermont: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Vermont, you’re not alone. The Green Mountain State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Burlington and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Vermont, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Vermont to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Vermont
Like any big move, relocating to Vermont comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Green Mountain State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in VT
- ✓Great outdoor environment
- ✓Simple and traditional lifestyle
- ✓Scenic
- ✓Beautiful
- ✓Abundant winter activities
Cons of living in VT
- ✖Extremely cold weather
- ✖Driving in the snow
- ✖Sloppy mud season
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Small economy
Things to do in Vermont
Whether you’re moving to Vermont work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Vermont has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Vermont
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Tour
- Lake Champlain
- Shelburne Museum
- Smugglers Notch State Park
- Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
- Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
- Montshire Museum of Science
- Killington Ski Resort
- Quechee Gorge
- Church Street Marketplace
Museums in Vermont
- Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
- Billings Farm & Museum
- Shelburne Museum
- Bennington Museum
- The Art of Humor Gallery
- Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
- Simon Pearce Mill
- Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
- Norman Rockwell Museum
Parks in Vermont
- Waterfront Park
- Dog Mountain Home of Stephen Huneck Gallery
- Red Rocks Park
- Overlook Park
- Airport Park
- Living Memorial Park
- Oakledge
- Waterbury Center State Park
- West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park
- Giorgetti Park
Fun facts about Vermont
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Vermont, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Before Vermont became the 14th state, it existed as an independent nation for 14 years. It became independent in 1777 following clashes over land. The development allowed locals to begin printing their currency, enacting laws that banned slavery and established postal service.
- Dummerston is the birthplace of snow golf thanks to the creative talent of Rudyard Kipling who invented the sport at his home. Rudyard Kipling, the legendary author, wrote the Jungle Book.
- Vermont has the highest ratio of dairy cows in the United States. This concerning the total human population in the state. At some point, it was home to more cows than humans.
- The state is undoubtedly the largest producer of maple syrup in the country. It produces a staggering 35 percent of the total supply on the market. Many locals produce the syrup at home while others pay a prominent role as the big producers.
- When it comes to lake monster myths, Lake Champlain is said to host a shy but friendly monster known as Champ. The famous myth attracted the attention of the Discovery Channel, which conducted a thorough investigation into the claim.
- A peculiar aspect of Vermont is that its counties and towns have no billboards. In 1968, legislators decided to enact a state-wide ban on the installation of billboards.
- The state has a special place in the history of snowboarding. One of the locals, Jake Burton, a former ski racer, designed and manufactured specialized boards after participating in surfing.
- The state is home to short buildings that do not qualify as skyscrapers. When compared to buildings in other states, Vermont stands out as a place with no skyscrapers. Its tallest building (Decker Towers) comes with only 11 stories and it stands at 124 feet tall.
- Vermont is the hometown of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st US President and Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President. Arthur, who served between 1881 and 1885, hailed from Fairfield while Coolidge was born in Plymouth.
- The state is the birthplace of the well-known ice cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s. The company still operates from headquarters in Vermont. Local farmers benefit from Ben & Jerry’s commercial activities as they receive ice cream waste to feed the hops.
Vermont population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Vermont, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Green Mountain State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Vermont, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Population | 647,064 |
| Female | 50.2% |
| Male | 49.8% |
| College graduation rate | 44.44% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 64-32 |
| Crime index | 18.93 |
Vermont weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Vermont is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Vermont aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 6ºF |
| Annual rain | 43″ |
| Annual snow | 86″ |
Income and cost of living in Vermont
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Vermont.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Vermont and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($4.7 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($4.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($3.4 billion)
- Manufacturing ($3.1 billion)
- Retail trade ($2.5 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($2.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($1.8 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($1.7 billion)
- Construction ($1.1 billion)
- Information ($0.9 billion)
| Metric | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,149 |
| Average home cost | $390,132 |
| Average income (per capita) | $74,014 |
| Cost of living index* | Not available |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 8.75% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Vermont
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Vermont has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Vermont:
- University of Vermont
- Middlebury College
- Champlain College
- Norwich University
- Saint Michael’s College
- Bennington College
- Vermont Law School
- SIT Graduate Institute
- Goddard College
- Northern Vermont University
- Castleton University
- Vermont Technical College
- Sterling College, Vermont
- Landmark College
- Vermont College of Fine Arts
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Vermont
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Green Mountain State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to VT
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Cost of moving to Vermont
Before you take the leap to Vermont, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Vermont
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Vermont.
Vermont car insurance requirements
Vermont drivers license requirements
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