Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$96,759$8,063 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Chittenden County, VT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Chittenden County, VT
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,497 | $17,964 | $59,880 | 18.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,651 | $19,812 | $66,040 | 20.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,140 | $25,680 | $85,600 | 26.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,745 | $32,940 | $109,800 | 34% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,833 | $33,996 | $113,320 | 35.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Chittenden County, VT
Based on the local median household income of $96,759/year ($8,063/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Vermont with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Chittenden County, VT
What is the median household income in Chittenden County, VT?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Chittenden County, VT is $96,759 per year (approximately $8,063 per month).
What is the average rent in Chittenden County, VT?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Chittenden County, VT are $1,497 for a studio, $1,651 for 1 bedroom, $2,140 for 2 bedrooms, $2,745 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,833 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Chittenden County, VT compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Chittenden County, VT is 100.9 (0.9% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Chittenden County, VT?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($2,140/month) in Chittenden County, VT requires a minimum gross household income of $85,600 per year ($7,133 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Chittenden County, VT?
For a typical household earning the median income of $96,759/year ($8,063/month) in Chittenden County, VT, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,032/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,419/month to discretionary spending, and $1,613/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Chittenden 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.