Vermont · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Bennington County, VT

The median household in Bennington County, VT earns $73,325 a year ($6,110/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,297/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $51,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,325$6,110 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,297HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)98.0-2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate24.4¢per kWh · EIA Residential VT
Census Population37,269Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Bennington County, VT

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,297Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$51,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,833At 30% of $73,325
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Bennington County, VT

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Bennington County, VT. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Bennington County, VT
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,020$12,240$40,80016.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,142$13,704$45,68018.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,297$15,564$51,88021.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,804$21,648$72,16029.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,159$25,908$86,36035.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Bennington County, VT →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Bennington County, VT

Based on the local median household income of $73,325/year ($6,110/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,055/moRent ($1,297 2-BR), utilities (~$220/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,833/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 98.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,222/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Vermont

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Vermont state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$73,325
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,325
Net 79%
Fed 10%
VT 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,035After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,836Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,232Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,302 / yr
Vermont state income tax$2,379 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,609 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Vermont with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bennington County, VT

What is the median household income in Bennington County, VT?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bennington County, VT is $73,325 per year (approximately $6,110 per month).

What is the average rent in Bennington County, VT?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Bennington County, VT are $1,020 for a studio, $1,142 for 1 bedroom, $1,297 for 2 bedrooms, $1,804 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,159 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Bennington County, VT compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Bennington County, VT is 98.0 (2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bennington County, VT?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,297/month) in Bennington County, VT requires a minimum gross household income of $51,880 per year ($4,323 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Bennington County, VT?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,325/year ($6,110/month) in Bennington County, VT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,055/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,833/month to discretionary spending, and $1,222/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Bennington County, VT?

Residential electricity rates in Vermont average 24.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $220 per month.