Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Rutland?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Rutland?

Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Richmond vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Richmond

Virginia

$1,400/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,400 in Richmond, VA versus $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 12% higher in Richmond, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,183

$893

+25% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,195

$856

+28% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,374

$1,097

+20% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,447

$1,207

+17% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$328,100

$176,400

+46% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,671

$55,000

+12% in Richmond, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,460

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.5 yr

48.5 yr

+14.0 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

43.5%

52.7%

+9.2 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

32.2%

+11.9 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

22.1 min

14.7 min

+7.4 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

349

487.8

+40% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

3,240.2

3,973.3

+23% in Rutland, VT

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.9°F

44.6°F

+14.3°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

40.5 in

+3.1 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

24.4

+42% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$26.07

+4% in Richmond, VA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / VT)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

8.75%

+3.0 pp in VT

Richmond vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Rutland?: Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).