Income needed to buy a house in Vermont
A median-priced home in Vermont costs $352,800. With 20% down you'd need about $101,916 a year, $19,186 more than the state's median household income of $82,730. Vermont ranks #30 of 51 for the lowest income needed.
Income needed: $101,916 a year
Defaults: state median home value and property tax (Census ACS 2024), median homeowners insurance paid by owners with a mortgage (Census ACS 2024; quotes vary by home and ZIP code), 30-year rate 6.95% (Freddie Mac, week of 2026-09-17).
You'd need a household income of about $101,916 a year to buy a $352,800 home in Vermont with $70,560 down.
Based on lenders' 28/36 rule: housing costs under 28% of gross income, all debt under 36%.
| Monthly cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Principal & interest | $1,868 |
| Property tax | $419 |
| Homeowners insurance | $91 |
| Total | $2,378 |
Monthly cost by down payment
| Down payment | Cash down | Monthly cost | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $17,640 | $2,868 | $122,914 |
| 10% | $35,280 | $2,744 | $117,594 |
| 20% | $70,560 | $2,378 | $101,916 |
Under 20% down includes estimated private mortgage insurance of 0.5% of the loan per year.
Buying in Vermont: what's different
- Transfer tax
- 0.5% to $200k, 1.47% above
- On the median home
- $3,250
- Homestead break
- Yearly homestead declaration
- First-time buyer help
- Vermont Housing Finance Agency
- Transfer and recording taxes. For a home you'll live in, the property transfer tax is 0.5% of the first $200,000 and 1.47% above that, including a clean water surcharge. A second home is taxed at 3.62%. On the median Vermont home ($352,800), that's about $3,250 in property transfer tax for a main home.
- Property tax breaks for your home. Owner-occupants must file a Homestead Declaration (Form HS-122) every year, by April 15, to be taxed at the homestead education rate rather than the nonhomestead rate.
- First-time buyer help. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency offers MOVE through participating lenders. Check its site for income and price limits.
Checked against official sources on September 25, 2026. Local transfer taxes and exemptions vary, so confirm with the county before you close.
Home prices in Vermont's largest metro area
| Metro area | Income needed | Median home value | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VT | $124,325 | $438,100 | $89,615 |
The median home in the Burlington area is worth $438,100, 24% more than the statewide median, and takes about $124,325 a year to buy with 20% down.
Metro medians from Census ACS 2024 cover the whole metro area, including any part in a neighboring state. Income needed: 20% down at 6.95%, the metro's median property tax and its main state's median homeowners insurance for homes with a mortgage (Census ACS 2024), under the 28% rule.
What makes owning in Vermont about average among states
- Home prices: the median value of $352,800 is 2% below the U.S. median of $360,600.
- Property tax: about 1.42% of value a year ($419 a month on the median home).
- Insurance: owners with a mortgage paid a median $1,091 a year for homeowners insurance in 2024 (Census ACS). Premiums have risen in most states since then, and they vary a lot by home and ZIP code, so get quotes.
- Mortgage rate: each 1-point rise in rates adds roughly $193 a month on this loan.
18 states need at least 20% less income to buy their median home. States with a similar income requirement:
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to make to buy a house in Vermont?
About $101,916 a year for the median home of $352,800 with 20% down at 6.95%. With 10% down it's about $117,594.
What is the property tax rate in Vermont?
The median Vermont homeowner pays $5,026 a year, about 1.42% of the median home value (Census ACS 2024). Rates vary by county and city.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Vermont?
Median rent is $1,319 a month, while owning the median home costs about $2,378 a month with 20% down, before maintenance. Renting affordably takes about $52,760 a year under the 30% rule.