Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1990–2024Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Home prices in Vermont continue climbing steadily, driven by tight inventory, in-migration, and strong demand for rural and mountain properties.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (VTSTHPI).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price ($) | 389900 | 410000 |
- •Vermont's housing market saw record-low inventory in 2022-2023
- •Ski resort towns like Stowe command some of the highest per-square-foot prices
- •Cash buyers make up a notable share of Vermont home purchases
Median Home Value
Vermont's median home value reached roughly $395,000 in 2024, reflecting strong demand from remote workers and limited housing supply across the state.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value ($) | 395000 | 420000 |
- •Vermont home values rose nearly 75% between 2019 and 2024
- •About 16% of Vermont housing units are second or seasonal residences
- •Burlington and Chittenden County post the state's highest home values
Rent Prices
Median rent in Vermont has risen to about $1,320 per month, reflecting one of the tightest rental markets in the country with a very low vacancy rate.
Rent of primary residence index (Northeast region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U, Northeast region, annual average (CUUR0100SEHA).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Rent ($) | 1320 | 1380 |
- •Chittenden County has Vermont's highest rents
- •Statewide rental vacancy sits near 3.1%, among the tightest in the US
- •Seasonal tourism markets like Stowe see elevated short-term rental competition
Housing Inventory
Vermont has about 343,000 total housing units, with a notably high share—around 16%—used as seasonal or second homes, limiting supply for year-round residents.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total Housing Units | 343000 | 580000 |
- •Vermont has one of the highest shares of seasonal/vacation homes nationally
- •Act 250 land-use law significantly shapes housing development pace
- •New housing starts remain far below demand in Chittenden County
Building Permits
Vermont issues roughly 2,000 new housing building permits annually, one of the lowest totals nationally, constraining efforts to relieve housing shortages.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED VTBPPRIV).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Building Permits | 2000 | 16000 |
- •Vermont passed housing reform legislation (S.100) to ease zoning restrictions
- •Most new permits are for single-family homes rather than multi-family units
- •Labor shortages in construction slow permit-to-completion timelines
Homeownership Rate
Vermont's homeownership rate of 72.8% ranks among the top ten nationally, reflecting a strong tradition of single-family and rural residence ownership.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED VTHOWN).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership Rate (%) | 72.8 | 65.6 |
- •Vermont ranks among the top 10 states for homeownership rate
- •Rural counties show higher ownership rates than Burlington's urban core
- •First-time buyers increasingly face affordability challenges despite high ownership overall
Housing Affordability
Housing affordability in Vermont has declined sharply as home prices and property taxes rise faster than median household income of $81,211.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 86.5 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 4.9 | 4.7 |
- •Vermont has one of the highest effective property tax rates in the US at 1.78%
- •Housing costs consume a growing share of median household income statewide
- •State and nonprofit programs offer down-payment assistance to combat affordability gaps
Vacancy Rate
Vermont's rental vacancy rate stands at just 3.1%, among the tightest in the nation, intensifying competition for available rental units.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED VTRVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED VTHVAC).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Vacancy Rate (%) | 3.1 | 6.6 |
- •A healthy rental market is typically considered around 5-8% vacancy
- •Vermont's vacancy rate is well below that healthy threshold
- •Burlington's rental vacancy is often below 2%