7 Best Places to Live in Vermont
Open to exploring your options? Discover great cities in Vermont with our detailed guide.
Median Age
30 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 29% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
13%
Burlington
Burlington, VT Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,080
Population
44,088
Renter Mix
62% Rent
This mountain city dazzles.
Outdoor Adventures
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Mountains
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Lake
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Skiing
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Boating
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Nature
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Walkable
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Burlington, Vermont combines small-city charm with natural beauty along the shores of Lake Champlain. The heart of downtown features Church Street Marketplace, a four-block pedestrian mall where local shops and restaurants create an inviting atmosphere throughout the year. The Burlington Bike Path traces the waterfront and connects to the Island Line Trail, extending into Lake Champlain on a historic railroad causeway. The rental market reflects strong demand, with current average rents ranging from $1,752 for studios to $2,068 for one-bedroom apartments, while larger units can command up to $3,417 for four bedrooms. The Hill Section stands out with its historic architecture and tree-lined streets near Champlain College, while the South End district features renovated industrial spaces housing galleries and studios.
Burlington serves as home to the University of Vermont and the UVM Medical Center. The Old North End neighborhood preserves the city's cultural heritage, including the historic Little Jerusalem district. Residents enjoy access to waterfront paths, beaches, and parks, including the popular Waterfront Park and North Beach. The city demonstrates environmental leadership through its renewable energy initiatives, and the local food scene emphasizes connections to Vermont farms and producers. The original Ben & Jerry's scoop shop on Cherry Street marks the spot where the famous ice cream company began in 1978. From summer festivals at Waterfront Park to the year-round farmers' market in City Hall Park, Burlington offers recreational opportunities across all seasons.
Explore the City
A "Burlington" sign on a sidewalk in Downtown Burlington.
An aerial view of the Old North End neighborhood in Burlington, VT.
Battery Park in Burlington is a 14 acre historic park offering stunning views of Lake Champlain.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$65,563
Average: $91,803
Education
19,998
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
23,988
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Burlington has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
62%
Non-Renters
38%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
38%
Other Education
62%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Burlington, VT is $1,703 for a studio, $2,079 for one bedroom, $1,744 for two bedrooms, and $1,475 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Burlington has decreased by -1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,079/month
674 Sq Ft
House
$3,220/month
1,266 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,368/month
775 Sq Ft
Townhome
$3,750/month
2,033 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Burlington, VT is 13.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Burlington is 29.1% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,475 - $2,079. You can expect to pay 5.6% more for groceries, 13.0% more for utilities, and 2.9% more for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Burlington, VT is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Minimal Public Transit
Transit
10
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Not Bikeable
Bikeability
10
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
548 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
228 Students
Sustainability Academy At Lawrence Barnes
Public
Grades PK-5
191 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
242 Students
Integrated Arts Academy At H. O. Wheeler
Public
Grades PK-5
248 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
365 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
337 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
987 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Echo Lake Aquarium & Science Center
- Intervale Center
- Perkins Geology Museum
- Shelburne Farms
- Niquette Bay State Park
Military Bases
Airports
- Patrick Leahy Burlington International
- Plattsburgh International
Top Apartments in Burlington
Houses for Rent in Burlington
Property Management Companies in Burlington, VT
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Nearby City Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.