| Index | Rutland | Vermont | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 108 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 82 | 114 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 103 | 100 |
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 98, which is 2% lower 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 aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Rutland residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is Rutland affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Rutland, for instance, where the median home price falls 18.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rutland flaunting a median household income of $70,766, 13% lower than the national norm.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Rutland, the groceries index is 7.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Rutland, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6%, and income tax rates start at 3.35%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Rutland, the healthcare costs are 5.3% higher than the national average.
The Rutland cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $101,192 | $8,433 | $2,361 | $3,036 |
| Renters | $40,638 | $3,387 | $948 | $1,219 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Vermont | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Vermont | 3.35% | 8.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Granville, NY | 2,330 | 94 | 6.2% |
| Poultney, VT | 1,532 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Fair Haven, VT | 2,361 | 98 | 1.5% |
| Pittsford, VT | 565 | 99 | 1.2% |
| West Rutland, VT | 2,130 | 99 | 0.7% |
| Rutland, VT | 15,668 | 98 | 1.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Centerton, AR | 15,676 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Groveland, FL | 15,677 | 112 | 12.4% |
| West Hants, NS | 15,678 | n/a | |
| Beech Grove, IN | 15,679 | 88 | 11.7% |
| Bemidji, MN | 15,682 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Rutland, VT | 15,668 | 98 | 1.6% |
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