C+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Rutland Vermont National
Cost of living101110100
Goods & Services108108100
Groceries105105100
Health care106106100
Housing83112100
Transportation107107100
Utilities121121100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Rutland, VT

Understanding the cost of living in Rutland can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Rutland cost of living index is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Rutland closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Rutland can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Rutland Affordable?

Is Rutland an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Rutland, the median home price is 17.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 15.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Rutland come in at $48,182, which is 12.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rutland?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Rutland, the groceries index is 4.8% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Rutland, healthcare costs are 6% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Rutland displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Rutland is 8% lower than the Vermont average
  • The cost of living in Rutland is 1% higher than the national average
  • Rutland housing is 17% lower than the national average
  • Vermont general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Vermont state income tax is 29% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Rutland

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Compare Rutland, VT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$68,836$5,736$1,606$2,065
      Renters$26,924$2,244$628$808
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Rutland, VT, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Rutland homeowners, is $68,836. This would allow for a maximum of $1,606 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $26,924 which would result in a maximum of $628 to be spent on rental costs.

      Vermont Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Vermont 6% 7%

      Vermont Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Vermont 3.35% 8.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.98$24.2611.2%
      Beauty Salon $46.44$45.561.9%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.9%
      Movie $11.94$12.131.6%
      Bowling $15.67$18.0013.0%

      Groceries

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.72$1.579.6%
      Milk $4.82$4.673.1%
      Potatoes $4.97$4.930.7%
      Pizza $12.05$12.090.3%
      Beer $10.01$10.413.9%

      Health Care

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $141.67$125.6812.7%
      Doctor $152.78$135.7812.5%
      Dentist $130.83$113.2915.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.78$10.651.2%
      Lipitor $371.02$468.6020.8%

      Housing

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,900.00$184,700.0017.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,072.44$2,346.6930.9%
      Apartment Rent $800.00$949.0015.7%

      Transportation

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.59$3.463.8%
      Tire Balancing $68.60$59.9214.5%

      Utilities

      Item Rutland National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $262.67$193.9935.4%
      Phone $186.03$192.253.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Granville, NY2,2509010.4%
      Poultney, VT1,474964.5%
      Fair Haven, VT2,2731000.4%
      Pittsford, VT5541011.0%
      West Rutland, VT2,0721011.3%
      Rutland, VT15,2071011.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Northview, MI15,209963.7%
      Front Royal, VA15,2141099.2%
      Jamestown, ND15,216928.2%
      Lake Country, BC15,217n/a 
      Elk Plain, WA15,19212626.2%
      Rutland, VT15,2071011.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.