CountyScore

Chittenden County

Vermont · VT

#14 in Vermont
58.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Chittenden County, Vermont

Above National Median Despite Urban Pressures

Chittenden County scores 58.9, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by 8.9 points. For Vermont's most urban county (home to Burlington), this reflects real competitive advantages.

Vermont's Most Challenged Urban County

At 58.9, Chittenden ranks below Vermont's state average of 64.0, making it the weakest performer in this data set. Urban density and housing costs are likely culprits.

Strong Income and Health Outcomes

Chittenden boasts the state's highest median household income at $94,310 and excellent health outcomes (83.4). The county also enjoys the lowest effective tax rate at 1.614%.

Housing Costs Squeeze Affordability

The cost score of 51.2 is the lowest statewide, driven by median home values of $404,500 and rents at $1,590/month. The risk score of 36.1 is also alarmingly low, signaling economic vulnerability.

For High Earners Seeking Urban Amenities

Chittenden suits dual-income professional households earning six figures who prioritize cultural life, job diversity, and healthcare. Young families should budget carefully; affordability pressures are real despite strong incomes.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax56.9Cost51.2SafetyComing SoonHealth83.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.9Risk36.1WaterComing Soon
🏛56.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠51.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Chittenden County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fairbanks North Star Borough
Alaska
58.9
Median income: $84,722
Howard County
Maryland
58.9
Median income: $146,982
Washtenaw County
Michigan
58.9
Median income: $87,156
Cape May County
New Jersey
58.9
Median income: $88,046
Navarro County
Texas
58.9
Median income: $59,310

Deep Dives

Chittenden County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Chittenden County

via TaxByCounty

Chittenden's low rate masks high bills

At 1.614%, Chittenden County's effective tax rate runs 46% above the national median of 1.099%, landing it around the 74th percentile nationally. Though the rate is below some peers, the median tax of $6,527 is the highest in Vermont, driven by homes valued 43% above the national median.

Vermont's most valuable homes, lowest rate

Chittenden County's 1.614% effective rate is actually the lowest among Vermont's counties, sitting below the state average of 1.718%. Yet with a median home value of $404,500, the highest in the state, residents pay the state's largest median tax bill of $6,527.

Lamoille and Grand Isle rate lower

Chittenden's 1.614% rate exceeds Lamoille County's 1.673% to the northeast and Grand Isle County's 1.355% to the north. Among high-value property markets, Chittenden offers a relatively moderate tax rate, though absolute tax payments remain substantial.

Median home yields $6,527 in annual taxes

On a median home value of $404,500, Chittenden County's 1.614% effective rate translates to approximately $6,527 in yearly property taxes, the highest in the state. Both mortgaged ($6,545) and non-mortgaged ($6,480) homeowners face similar burdens across the bracket.

Every assessment error costs more here

In Chittenden County, where property values and tax bills are Vermont's highest, an overassessment compounds into significantly larger losses than elsewhere. Property owners should scrutinize assessments carefully and file appeals if values appear inflated relative to recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chittenden County

via CostByCounty

Premium housing in Vermont's job hub

Chittenden County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% exceeds both Vermont's 17.8% state average and the national benchmark, reflecting its status as the state's economic engine. With a median household income of $94,310—26% above the national average—Chittenden residents earn significantly more but also face Vermont's steepest housing costs at $1,590 monthly rent.

Vermont's most expensive housing market

Chittenden ranks as Vermont's least affordable county, with median home values of $404,500 towering above all peers and a median rent of $1,590 that's 43% above the state average. Despite having the state's strongest median income, Chittenden's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio is the highest statewide, signaling tight housing markets around Burlington.

Dramatically pricier than all surrounding counties

Chittenden's median rent of $1,590 vastly exceeds all neighbors—32% higher than Franklin ($1,164), 31% higher than Grand Isle ($1,436), and nearly double Caledonia's $904. Home values of $404,500 similarly tower over the region, reflecting Burlington's competitive real estate market and strong regional economy.

High incomes offset high housing costs

Renters pay $1,590 monthly and homeowners $1,839, consuming 20.2% of a median $94,310 household income—the highest burden in Vermont but still manageable. Chittenden's premium rents and home prices are balanced by the state's strongest paychecks, creating a trade-off between cost and economic opportunity.

Pay more to earn more in Burlington area

Chittenden offers Vermont's most robust job market and highest incomes, making it ideal if career growth justifies premium housing costs. If you're relocating for opportunity and can absorb higher rents, Chittenden is unmatched; if affordability is paramount, consider lower-cost neighbors like Franklin or Lamoille with shorter commutes to Burlington jobs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chittenden County

via IncomeByCounty

Chittenden dominates national earnings

Chittenden County's median household income of $94,310 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 26%, placing it among the nation's most prosperous county economies. The county's concentration of university jobs, healthcare, and tech startups drives sustained wage growth.

Vermont's wealthiest county by far

Chittenden ranks 1st of 14 Vermont counties, a commanding $19,267 above the state average of $75,043. With per capita income of $50,552, the county leads the state by a wide margin.

Far ahead of all Vermont peers

Chittenden's $94,310 median towers over adjacent Grand Isle County ($90,625) and Franklin County ($79,078). The county's economic engine—anchored by the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, and Burlington's tech corridor—attracts high-earning workers from across the region.

High incomes, high housing costs

Chittenden's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% crosses the affordability threshold, reflecting surging housing demand and median home values of $404,500. Strong incomes enable homeownership, but renters and first-time buyers face significant competition and cost pressure.

Leverage Chittenden's high earnings

With median household income at $94,310, Chittenden residents have substantial capacity to save and invest beyond housing and living costs. Consider maxing retirement contributions, diversifying into real estate or business ventures, and working with a financial planner to optimize tax efficiency.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chittenden County

via HealthByCounty

Chittenden's health outpaces the nation

With 80.8 years of life expectancy, Chittenden exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 4.7 years—among the nation's best. Just 12.7% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national 17.9%, reflecting a healthier population.

Vermont's healthiest county

Chittenden County leads Vermont with 80.8 years life expectancy, 2.6 years above the state average of 78.2 years. Its 12.7% poor/fair health rate ranks best-in-state, underscoring the county's position as Vermont's health leader.

Clear health advantage regionally

Chittenden's 80.8-year life expectancy surpasses all peers, outpacing Addison (80.7) by just a hair and beating Lamoille (79.2) by 1.6 years. Its 12.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among all regional counties, cementing its leadership.

Exceptional provider density

Chittenden boasts 175 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in the state—plus 810 mental health providers per 100,000, creating world-class access. With just 4.4% uninsured, the county achieves near-universal coverage, matching Addison's best-in-state rate.

Maintain coverage in Chittenden

Even Chittenden's low 4.4% uninsured rate masks potential coverage gaps and underinsurance among some residents. Review your plan annually at Vermont's health marketplace to ensure continuous, adequate protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chittenden County

via RiskByCounty

Chittenden faces elevated national risk

Chittenden County's composite risk score of 63.90 places it in the "Relatively Low" range nationally but marks it as significantly more hazard-exposed than the average U.S. county. This profile reflects its position on Lake Champlain and exposure to multiple Atlantic storm tracks.

Vermont's riskiest county overall

With a score of 63.90, Chittenden County ranks as the highest-risk jurisdiction among Vermont's eight counties, substantially exceeding the state average of 36.44. The county's concentration of development and lakefront exposure drive this elevated profile.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Chittenden's risk score outpaces neighboring Franklin County (29.20) and Addison County (26.78) by large margins. Its greater population density and extensive shoreline along Lake Champlain create exposure multipliers not seen in more rural neighbors.

Earthquakes, floods, and wind lead hazards

Chittenden County faces its highest risk from earthquakes (76.65) and floods (76.37), both scoring in the upper ranges statewide. Tornado risk (29.52) and hurricane risk (65.92) round out a complex hazard portfolio driven by geography and population concentration.

Multiple insurance layers save homes

Chittenden County residents should carry both NFIP flood insurance and comprehensive homeowners coverage with adequate wind and hail protection. Properties near Lake Champlain or in mapped flood zones face compounded risk and warrant particularly robust coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.