Best Counties for Retirement in Vermont 2026
14 counties ranked with the Retiree lens of the County Fit Score.
All 14 Retirement-Ranked Counties in Vermont
| Rank | County | County Fit Score | baseline CountyScore | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essex County, VT | 63.5 | 55.7 | +7.8 |
| 2 | Grand Isle County, VT | 58.4 | 59 | -0.6 |
| 3 | Orange County, VT | 57.7 | 53.3 | +4.4 |
| 4 | Addison County, VT | 57.1 | 53.8 | +3.3 |
| 5 | Lamoille County, VT | 48.9 | 47.7 | +1.2 |
| 6 | Franklin County, VT | 47.3 | 44 | +3.3 |
| 7 | Orleans County, VT | 46 | 43 | +3 |
| 8 | Caledonia County, VT | 44.7 | 41.9 | +2.8 |
| 9 | Windsor County, VT | 43.4 | 42.5 | +0.9 |
| 10 | Washington County, VT | 42.3 | 41.7 | +0.6 |
| 11 | Bennington County, VT | 40.6 | 33.9 | +6.7 |
| 12 | Chittenden County, VT | 37.8 | 36.9 | +0.9 |
| 13 | Rutland County, VT | 37.6 | 36.3 | +1.3 |
| 14 | Windham County, VT | 37.4 | 35 | +2.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best county for retirement in Vermont?
Based on the Retiree lens, Essex County ranks as the top retirement county in Vermont with a County Fit Score of 63.5. The baseline CountyScore remains visible for context.
How many counties in Vermont are ranked for retirement?
We rank 14 counties in Vermont with the Retiree lens, using independent importance values for health, safety, taxes, cost, disaster risk, water, and weather.
Also Browse Vermont Counties For
Retirement Rankings by State
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019-2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.