Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,305 in Colorado versus $1,275 in Vermont. Overall, Vermont runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Colorado, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,364 in Colorado and $68,854 in Vermont — about 19% higher in Colorado. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
2.9%
6%
+3.1 pp in Vermont
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
8.75%
+4.3 pp in Vermont
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
$1,275
+2% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$586,700
$400,200
+32% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,364
$68,854
+19% in Colorado
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.2°F
46.0°F
+4.2°F in Colorado
Colorado vs Vermont — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Vermont?
- Vermont is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,275 runs about 2% below Colorado's $1,305, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado than in Vermont?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado versus $51,000 in Vermont.
- Which has lower taxes, Colorado or Vermont?
- Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Colorado/Vermont — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.