Connecticut
CT • Northeast
Quality of Life Score
52.09
State Comparison
Connecticut vs Vermont
Connecticut is cheaper overall, while Connecticut has higher incomes, Connecticut has lower state income tax, and Connecticut gets more sunshine.
VS
Vermont
VT • Northeast
Better quality of life
Quality of Life Score
52.71
Connecticut
14
/ 31
metrics won
Score
VS
Vermont
17
/ 31
metrics won
VT wins Housing
VT wins Quality of Life
CT wins Climate
VT wins Income
Quality of Life
Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.
Connecticut
vs
Vermont
winner
Vermont scores higher on quality of life — 0.62 points difference.
Quick Take
Connecticut vs Vermont
This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.
- Connecticut is about 1.7 times smaller than Vermont.
- Connecticut has a larger population than Vermont by 2,962,867 people.
- Connecticut has the lower cost-of-living index. Connecticut is at 113.1, while Vermont is at 117.6.
- Connecticut has the higher median household income at $90,213, compared with $74,014 in Vermont.
Overview
Key differences overview
These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.
Overall Affordability
Connecticut is 4.5 points cheaper overall
Connecticut has the lower cost-of-living index. Connecticut is at 113.1, while Vermont is at 117.6.
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Income
Connecticut income is 21.9% higher
Connecticut has the higher median household income at $90,213, compared with $74,014 in Vermont.
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Jobs
Connecticut minimum wage is $2.52 higher
Connecticut has the higher statewide minimum wage at $16.94/hr, compared with $14.42/hr in Vermont.
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Housing
Connecticut homes cost about 1.1x more
Vermont has the lower median home value at $295,900, versus $326,200 in Connecticut.
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Taxes
Connecticut has lower state income tax
Connecticut has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 6.99%, compared with 8.75% in Vermont.
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Cost of Driving
Connecticut has slightly cheaper gas
Connecticut has the lower regular gas price at $4.082/gal, versus $4.094/gal in Vermont.
View detailed comparisonFull Comparison
Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.
| Metric |
CT
|
VT
|
|---|---|---|
|
Capital City
|
Hartford | Montpelier |
|
State Color
|
Solid Blue | Solid Blue |
|
Population
|
3,605,944
|
643,077
|
|
Median Income
|
$90,213
|
$74,014
|
|
Cost of Living
|
113.1
|
117.6
|
|
Median Housing Value
|
$326,200
|
$295,900
|
|
Property Tax
|
1.81%
|
1.59%
|
|
State Income Tax
|
6.99%
|
8.75%
|
|
Minimum Wage
|
$16.94/hr
|
$14.42/hr
|
|
Gas Price
|
$4.082/gal
|
$4.094/gal
|
|
Electricity Rates
|
28.30 c/kWh
|
23.29 c/kWh
|
|
Livability Score
|
52.09
|
52.71
|
|
Average Temperature
|
49.0°F
|
42.9°F
|
|
Sunny Days
|
82 days
|
58 days
|
|
Land Area
|
5,543 sq mi
|
9,616 sq mi
|
|
Population Density
|
650.5 per sq mi
|
66.9 per sq mi
|
|
Statehood
|
January 9, 1788 (#5)
|
March 4, 1791 (#14)
|
Intent-Oriented
Which state fits your priorities better?
Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.
Saving Money
Connecticut is cheaper overall
Overall cost-of-living index: 113.1 vs 117.6 in Vermont. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.
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Gas Price
Connecticut is cheaper at the pump
Average regular gas price: $4.082/gal in Connecticut vs $4.094/gal in Vermont. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.
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Minimum Wage
Connecticut has the higher minimum wage
State minimum wage: $16.94/hr in Connecticut vs $14.42/hr in Vermont. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.
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Electricity Rates
Vermont has cheaper electricity
Average residential electricity rate: 23.29 c/kWh in Vermont vs 28.30 c/kWh in Connecticut. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.
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Buying a Home
Connecticut is more attainable for buyers
Home-value-to-income ratio: 3.62x in Connecticut vs 4.00x in Vermont. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.
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Renting
Vermont is easier for renters
Rent-to-income ratio: 18.6% in Vermont vs 18.9% in Connecticut. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.
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Property Tax
Vermont has lower property taxes
Effective property tax rate: 1.59% in Vermont vs 1.81% in Connecticut. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.
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State Color
Vermont votes bluer
2024 presidential margin: Dem +31.51 in Vermont vs Dem +14.51 in Connecticut.
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Government Control
Connecticut has a trifecta
Connecticut currently has democratic trifecta, while Vermont does not. That usually means state laws can move faster in Connecticut.
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Alcohol Laws
Vermont uses a control-state system
Vermont uses a control-state system for liquor sales, while Connecticut uses a license-state system.
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Lower Taxes
Connecticut has lower income taxes
Top state income tax rate: 6.99% in Connecticut vs 8.75% in Vermont.
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More Space
Vermont feels less crowded
Population density: 66.9 per sq mi in Vermont vs 650.5 per sq mi in Connecticut. Lower density usually means more space and less day-to-day congestion.
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Shorter Commute
Vermont has the shorter commute
Average commute: 22.2 min in Vermont vs 26.0 min in Connecticut.
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Job Opportunities
Vermont looks better for job seekers
Unemployment rate: 2.6% in Vermont vs 4.2% in Connecticut. Vermont also leads on job growth.
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Remote Workers
Vermont looks better for remote workers
Livability score: 52.71 in Vermont vs 52.09 in Connecticut. Vermont also has the shorter average commute.
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Warmer Climate
Connecticut is warmer overall
Average annual temperature: 49.0°F in Connecticut vs 42.9°F in Vermont.
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More Sunshine
Connecticut gets more sun
Sunny days per year: 82 days in Connecticut vs 58 days in Vermont.
See full dataDetailed Metric Pages
Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.
Population
Connecticut has a larger population than Vermont by 2,962,867 people.
Population Density
Connecticut is more densely populated than Vermont.
Bachelor's Degree
Vermont has a higher college-educated share than Connecticut.
Advanced Degree
Connecticut has a higher advanced-degree share than Vermont.
People Also Ask
Connecticut vs Vermont - Common Questions
Q Is Connecticut cheaper to live in than Vermont?
Connecticut has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Connecticut scores 113.1 versus 117.6 for Vermont - a gap of 4.5 points.
Q Which state is bigger - Connecticut or Vermont?
Vermont is larger, covering 9,616 sq mi compared with 5,543 sq mi for Connecticut - roughly 1.7x the size.
Q Does Connecticut or Vermont have more people?
Connecticut has the larger population at 3,605,944, compared with 643,077 in Vermont.
Q Which state has higher household income - Connecticut or Vermont?
Connecticut has the higher median household income at $90,213, versus $74,014 in Vermont.
Q Which state has lower income taxes - Connecticut or Vermont?
Connecticut has the lower state income tax top rate at 6.99%, compared with 8.75% in Vermont.
Q Is housing cheaper in Connecticut or Vermont?
Homes are cheaper in Vermont, where the median home value is $295,900, versus $326,200 in Connecticut.
Q Which state is more densely populated - Connecticut or Vermont?
Connecticut is more densely populated at 650.5 per sq mi people per sq mi. Vermont is more spread out at 66.9 per sq mi people per sq mi.
Related Comparisons
Methodology
All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.
Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset, with minimum wage data from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.