Cost of Living in Windham County, Vermont
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Windham County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Windham County ranks #2,876 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 9%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Windham County, Vermont
Windham County stretches household budgets
Windham County residents spend 18.6% of income on rent—the state's highest ratio and above the national affordability standard of roughly 17%. With a median household income of $68,021, which trails the national median by $6,700, renters here face tighter affordability than most Americans.
The state's most strained housing market
Windham County has Vermont's highest rent-to-income ratio at 18.6%, signaling that renters dedicate more of their earnings to housing than peers anywhere else in the state. It's a cautionary tale: even in affordable Vermont, certain pockets demand careful financial planning.
Priced like urban markets, with rural incomes
Windham's $1,056 median rent exceeds the state average by $61 and trails only Washington County's $1,094. Yet with median incomes below state average, Windham residents pay urban-tier rents on smaller paychecks than peers in Washington or Orange counties.
Housing dominates the household budget
Renters spend $1,056 monthly on a $68,021 income, while homeowners carry $1,370 in costs—together representing roughly 19–24% of household earnings, the tightest ratio in Vermont. Residents have limited financial cushion for other priorities or emergencies.
Move carefully; budget tightly
Windham County offers scenic charm and community, but its high rent-to-income ratio means you should move here only if you have secure income or substantial savings. It's better suited to remote workers with six-figure salaries or retirees with fixed assets than to wage-dependent families.
Cost of Living Advisory: Windham County
Affordability Verdict
Windham County is affordable for renters, with a median gross rent of $1,056/month representing approximately 18.6% of median household income. The rent burden (GRAPI) stands at 29.0%.
Rent vs. Own
At $1,056/month rent versus $1,370/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $314/month cheaper — a 23% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $42,240/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $58,714/year. With a median household income of $68,021, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 29.0% of renter households in Windham County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Vermont, Windham County is less affordable than Lamoille County by roughly 6% ($1,056/mo vs $1,123/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Windham County
Rent Burden
18.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,587
per month
Owner Cost Burden
24.2%
of gross income
The median home in Windham County may be a stretch
Median home value is $265,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,116 vs. your max of $1,587.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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