Overview of Vermont Taxes
The effective property tax rate in Vermont is 1.42%, which ranks as the sixth-highest rate in the U.S. The typical homeowner in Vermont can expect to spend $5,026 annually in property taxes.
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To calculate the exact amount of property tax you will owe requires your property's assessed value and the property tax rates based on your property's address. Please note that we can only estimate your property tax based on median property taxes in your area. There are typically multiple rates in a given area, because your state, county, local schools and emergency responders each receive funding partly through these taxes. In our calculator, we take your home value and multiply that by your county's effective property tax rate. This is equal to the median property tax paid as a percentage of the median home value in your county.
Vermont Property Taxes
The state of Vermont is one of the few states in which the state itself levies a property tax in addition to those the local government does. The state’s “education tax” supports schools (as do local school district taxes in most other states) and is the largest single source of property taxes in Vermont.
That statewide education tax is one reason the Green Mountain State has some of the highest property tax rates in the country. The 1.42% effective rate in Vermont ranks as the sixth-highest in the country.
Are you interested in buying a home in the Green Mountain State? If so, check out our Vermont mortgage guide to learn about how to get a mortgage in Vermont and what rates currently are in the state.
A financial advisor can help you understand how homeownership fits into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
How the Vermont Property Tax Works
There are two types of property taxes in Vermont: local property taxes and the state education tax rate. Local property tax rates are determined by municipalities and are applied to a home’s assessed value. The assessed value is determined by local assessors, who are called listers in Vermont.
The state requires a city or town to conduct a reappraisal if the assessed values in an area fall below 80% of the market value. Otherwise there are no strict regulations on when listers need to reappraise property; it varies from one town to the next.
The education tax paid by homeowners depends on a variety of factors, including the per-pupil spending in their local schools, the type of property (residential homestead or other) and the state-determined common level of appraisal (CLA).
The state government determines the CLA for each tax district. It represents the overall level of appraised values compared to actual market values. A city with a high common level of appraisal has generally over-appraised property and therefore should pay a lower rate. This ensures that everyone pays a fair share of the education tax.
Vermont Property Tax Rates
In Vermont, rates on residential, owner-occupied property are generally lower than those on other types of property. The homestead tax rate is set each year and adjusted based on the CLA (described above) and the spending per pupil. Except in areas with a very high level of spending per pupil, the homestead rate will be lower than the general rate.
The table below shows the effective tax rate in a sample of Vermont counties, as well as their median home values and median annual property tax payments. Effective tax rate is a good way to compare taxes across areas. It is calculated as the annual taxes paid by a typical homeowner as a percentage of home value.
Looking to calculate your potential monthly mortgage payment? Check out our mortgage payment calculator.
Chittenden County
Vermont’s Chittenden County is situated on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain and contains the city of Burlington. It has among the highest property taxes in the state. The median annual property tax homeowners in Chittenden County pay is $6,469, highest in the state and almost double the national average.
Rutland County
Rutland County is located in western Vermont, stretching from the southern tip of Lake Champlain east to the city of Killington. In recent years, property tax rates in Rutland County have been among the highest in the state.
Washington County
This central Vermont county has typically had property taxes a bit higher than the state average. In Montpelier, the state capital and largest city in the county, rates have also been quite high.
Windsor County
With a population of over 58,000, Windsor County is the fourth-most populous county in Vermont. It also has had some of the highest property taxes.
Bennington County
Much of Bennington County is rural, as it's covered by Green Mountain National Forest and is mostly untouched by civilization. In the portions that are inhabited, though, property taxes are a key source of revenue to support schools and basic functions of local government.
Addison County
Addison County is located between Chittenden and Rutland Counties in western Vermont. The largest town is Middlebury, home of Middlebury College. Data wasn't recently available for this county.
Orange County
Orange County has a population of just under 30,000, making it one of the smallest counties in Vermont.
