The Town Files

The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Vermont

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 72 towns of 500–10,000 people in Vermont. #1 is Woodstock, VT.

Map of the 25 towns12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Numbers match the ranking.
The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Vermont1. Woodstock98th pct2. Richmond96th pct3. Stowe95th pct4. Waterbury94th pct5. Randolph91st pct6. Hinesburg91st pct7. Ferrisburgh90th pct8. Thetford89th pct9. Shelburne83rd pct10. Shelburne83rd pct11. Castleton81st pct12. Charlotte81st pct13. Bradford80th pct14. Northfield77th pct15. Northfield77th pct16. Shaftsbury77th pct17. East Montpelier72nd pct18. Windsor69th pct19. Pittsford68th pct20. Norwich67th pct21. Morristown65th pct22. Jericho61st pct23. Montpelier60th pct24. Westminster60th pct25. Chester60th pct
  1. 25Chester, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 60% of Vermont towns

    Chester is a town of 3,005 people in Windsor County, Vermont. It also ranks quieter than 72% of Vermont towns.

    3,005 people · Windsor County · median home $232,900 · income $62,125 · Jan low 11°F · 83 in snow

    Full Chester, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Chester lifestyle rankingsRetirement60th pctQuiet72th pctWalkability65th pctFamilies58th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  2. 24Westminster, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 60% of Vermont towns

    Westminster is a town of 3,016 people in Windham County, Vermont. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 99% of Vermont towns and more upscale than 74% of Vermont towns.

    3,016 people · Windham County · median home $273,800 · income $71,491 · Jan low 13°F · 60 in snow

    Full Westminster, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Westminster lifestyle rankingsRetirement60th pctQuiet67th pctWalkability59th pctFamilies67th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  3. 23Montpelier, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 60% of Vermont towns

    Montpelier is a city of 8,074 people in Washington County, Vermont. It also ranks hipper than 99% of Vermont towns and more walkable than 98% of Vermont towns.

    8,074 people · Washington County · median home $375,100 · income $81,030 · Jan low 7°F · 126 in snow

    Full Montpelier, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Montpelier lifestyle rankingsRetirement60th pctQuiet5th pctWalkability98th pctFamilies10th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  4. 22Jericho, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 61% of Vermont towns

    Jericho is a town of 5,104 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks better for families than 99% of Vermont towns and more upscale than 97% of Vermont towns.

    5,104 people · Chittenden County · median home $493,100 · income $116,923 · Jan low 10°F · 86 in snow

    Full Jericho, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Jericho lifestyle rankingsRetirement61th pctQuiet65th pctWalkability70th pctFamilies99th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  5. 21Morristown, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 65% of Vermont towns

    Morristown is a town of 5,434 people in Lamoille County, Vermont. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Vermont towns and better for first-time buyers than 95% of Vermont towns.

    5,434 people · Lamoille County · median home $298,600 · income $66,273 · Jan low 5°F · 139 in snow

    Full Morristown, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Morristown lifestyle rankingsRetirement65th pctQuiet19th pctWalkability78th pctFamilies8th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  6. 20Norwich, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 67% of Vermont towns

    Norwich is a town of 3,612 people in Windsor County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Vermont towns and better for families than 97% of Vermont towns.

    3,612 people · Windsor County · median home $637,500 · income $140,313 · Jan low 6°F · 61 in snow

    Full Norwich, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Norwich lifestyle rankingsRetirement67th pctQuiet11th pctWalkability67th pctFamilies97th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  7. 19Pittsford, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 68% of Vermont towns

    Pittsford is a town of 2,862 people in Rutland County, Vermont. It also ranks easier by car than 92% of Vermont towns and more of a college town than 73% of Vermont towns.

    2,862 people · Rutland County · median home $197,000 · income $69,705 · Jan low 8°F · 83 in snow

    Full Pittsford, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Pittsford lifestyle rankingsRetirement68th pctQuiet51th pctWalkability60th pctFamilies39th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  8. 18Windsor, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 69% of Vermont towns

    Windsor is a town of 3,559 people in Windsor County, Vermont. It also ranks more walkable than 91% of Vermont towns.

    3,559 people · Windsor County · median home $207,500 · income $52,484 · Jan low 11°F · 77 in snow

    Full Windsor, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Windsor lifestyle rankingsRetirement69th pctQuiet39th pctWalkability91th pctFamilies7th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  9. 17East Montpelier, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 72% of Vermont towns

    East Montpelier is a town of 2,598 people in Washington County, Vermont. It also ranks hipper than 89% of Vermont towns and better for cycling than 84% of Vermont towns.

    2,598 people · Washington County · median home $378,700 · income $92,778 · Jan low 3°F · 126 in snow

    Full East Montpelier, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    East Montpelier lifestyle rankingsRetirement72th pctQuiet65th pctWalkability68th pctFamilies79th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  10. 16Shaftsbury, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 77% of Vermont towns

    Shaftsbury is a town of 3,598 people in Bennington County, Vermont. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 100% of Vermont towns and more upscale than 91% of Vermont towns.

    3,598 people · Bennington County · median home $267,300 · income $86,071 · Jan low 13°F · 75 in snow

    Full Shaftsbury, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Shaftsbury lifestyle rankingsRetirement77th pctQuiet34th pctWalkability71th pctFamilies86th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  11. 15Northfield, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 77% of Vermont towns

    Northfield is a community of 3,757 people in Washington County, Vermont. It also ranks better for young professionals than 99% of Vermont towns and more of a college town than 97% of Vermont towns.

    3,757 people · Washington County · median home $241,400 · income $60,789 · Jan low 6°F · 76 in snow

    Full Northfield, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Northfield lifestyle rankingsRetirement77th pctQuiet12th pctWalkability82th pctFamilies25th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  12. 14Northfield, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 77% of Vermont towns

    Northfield, Vermont
    Photo: Phizzal at en.wikipedia (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Northfield is a town of 5,918 people in Washington County, Vermont. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Vermont towns and more of a college town than 95% of Vermont towns.

    5,918 people · Washington County · median home $274,400 · income $71,768 · Jan low 6°F · 76 in snow

    Full Northfield, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Northfield lifestyle rankingsRetirement77th pctQuiet14th pctWalkability83th pctFamilies25th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  13. 13Bradford, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 80% of Vermont towns

    Bradford, Vermont
    Photo: Jscarreiro (talk) (Uploads) (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Bradford is a town of 2,790 people in Orange County, Vermont. It also ranks more walkable than 83% of Vermont towns and hipper than 73% of Vermont towns.

    2,790 people · Orange County · median home $258,600 · income $108,162 · Jan low 4°F · 66 in snow

    Full Bradford, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Bradford lifestyle rankingsRetirement80th pctQuiet42th pctWalkability83th pctFamilies49th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  14. 12Charlotte, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 81% of Vermont towns

    Charlotte is a town of 3,912 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks better for families than 100% of Vermont towns and more upscale than 98% of Vermont towns.

    3,912 people · Chittenden County · median home $695,300 · income $144,375 · Jan low 13°F · 88 in snow

    Full Charlotte, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Charlotte lifestyle rankingsRetirement81th pctQuiet70th pctWalkability76th pctFamilies100th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  15. 11Castleton, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 81% of Vermont towns

    Castleton is a town of 4,458 people in Rutland County, Vermont. It also ranks more of a college town than 98% of Vermont towns and better for young professionals than 92% of Vermont towns.

    4,458 people · Rutland County · median home $224,800 · income $73,854 · Jan low 8°F · 76 in snow

    Full Castleton, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Castleton lifestyle rankingsRetirement81th pctQuiet9th pctWalkability60th pctFamilies26th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  16. 10Shelburne, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 83% of Vermont towns

    Shelburne is a community of 6,178 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Vermont towns and better transit than 90% of Vermont towns.

    6,178 people · Chittenden County · median home $553,200 · income $109,583 · Jan low 13°F · 88 in snow

    Full Shelburne, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Shelburne lifestyle rankingsRetirement83th pctQuiet27th pctWalkability71th pctFamilies34th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  17. 9Shelburne, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 83% of Vermont towns

    Shelburne, Vermont
    Photo: Fancy-cats-are-happy-cats (talk) (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Shelburne is a town of 7,717 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Vermont towns and better transit than 89% of Vermont towns.

    7,717 people · Chittenden County · median home $588,100 · income $115,963 · Jan low 13°F · 88 in snow

    Full Shelburne, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Shelburne lifestyle rankingsRetirement83th pctQuiet28th pctWalkability71th pctFamilies35th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  18. 8Thetford, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 89% of Vermont towns

    Thetford is a town of 2,775 people in Orange County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 88% of Vermont towns and better for cycling than 86% of Vermont towns.

    2,775 people · Orange County · median home $329,500 · income $88,045 · Jan low 6°F · 61 in snow

    Full Thetford, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Thetford lifestyle rankingsRetirement89th pctQuiet75th pctWalkability54th pctFamilies76th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  19. 7Ferrisburgh, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 90% of Vermont towns

    Ferrisburgh is a town of 2,646 people in Addison County, Vermont. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of Vermont towns and better for families than 93% of Vermont towns.

    2,646 people · Addison County · median home $422,700 · income $106,989 · Jan low 9°F · 79 in snow

    Full Ferrisburgh, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Ferrisburgh lifestyle rankingsRetirement90th pctQuiet61th pctWalkability70th pctFamilies93th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  20. 6Hinesburg, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 91% of Vermont towns

    Hinesburg is a town of 4,698 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Vermont towns and better for families than 82% of Vermont towns.

    4,698 people · Chittenden County · median home $463,400 · income $112,539 · Jan low 13°F · 96 in snow

    Full Hinesburg, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Hinesburg lifestyle rankingsRetirement91th pctQuiet53th pctWalkability57th pctFamilies82th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  21. 5Randolph, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 91% of Vermont towns

    Randolph is a town of 4,774 people in Orange County, Vermont. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of Vermont towns and better for young professionals than 96% of Vermont towns.

    4,774 people · Orange County · median home $278,700 · income $76,758 · Jan low 7°F · 81 in snow

    Full Randolph, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Randolph lifestyle rankingsRetirement91th pctQuiet7th pctWalkability84th pctFamilies32th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  22. 4Waterbury, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 94% of Vermont towns

    Waterbury is a town of 5,331 people in Washington County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 96% of Vermont towns and better for young professionals than 95% of Vermont towns.

    5,331 people · Washington County · median home $447,200 · income $103,917 · Jan low 8°F · 126 in snow

    Full Waterbury, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Waterbury lifestyle rankingsRetirement94th pctQuiet15th pctWalkability64th pctFamilies45th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  23. 3Stowe, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 95% of Vermont towns

    Stowe is a town of 5,223 people in Lamoille County, Vermont. It also ranks hipper than 95% of Vermont towns and better for a vacation home than 95% of Vermont towns.

    5,223 people · Lamoille County · median home $647,800 · income $93,618 · Jan low 6°F · 235 in snow

    Full Stowe, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Stowe lifestyle rankingsRetirement95th pctQuiet49th pctWalkability39th pctFamilies43th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  24. 2Richmond, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 96% of Vermont towns

    Richmond is a town of 4,167 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Vermont towns and better for families than 92% of Vermont towns.

    4,167 people · Chittenden County · median home $432,200 · income $108,235 · Jan low 13°F · 124 in snow

    Full Richmond, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Richmond lifestyle rankingsRetirement96th pctQuiet35th pctWalkability68th pctFamilies92th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.
  25. 1Woodstock, Vermont

    Better for retirees than 98% of Vermont towns

    Woodstock, Vermont
    Photo: VladislaV. Original uploader was VladislaV Tuchkov at ru.wikipedia (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Woodstock is a town of 3,005 people in Windsor County, Vermont. It also ranks better transit than 99% of Vermont towns and more upscale than 95% of Vermont towns.

    3,005 people · Windsor County · median home $582,000 · income $120,938 · Jan low 7°F · 78 in snow

    Full Woodstock, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Woodstock lifestyle rankingsRetirement98th pctQuiet69th pctWalkability81th pctFamilies52th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Vermont towns.

Price vs ranking

Median home value vs ranking, Vermont towns0255075100$147K$272K$398K$523K$648KMedian home valuePercentile
Orange squares are the 25 towns on this list; green dots are other towns on The Town Files in Vermont.

More Vermont rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 72 towns of 500–10,000 people in Vermont (2020 Census population). Lifestyle measures are The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025), shown as percentiles. Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: