Property Tax Guide

Property Tax in Vermont (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Vermont's effective property tax rate is 1.73% — one of the highest rates in the country (#5 nationally). On the state median of $398,500, that's $6,894/year or $575/month. Rates vary sharply by county: from 1.42% in Essex County to 1.96% in Chittenden County (Burlington).

Effective rate

1.73%

Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024

Median annual tax

$6,894

Median home price × effective tax rate, for one year

National rank

Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024

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What this means for what you can afford

Vermont's property tax adds $575/month to your housing payment on the state median home — money a lender's pre-approval number often doesn't make obvious.

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New to this? Quick definitions

Effective tax rate —: what you actually pay in property tax as a % of your home's value each year, after any local exemptions.
Assessed value vs. market value —: market value is what a buyer would pay; assessed value is the number your county uses to calculate your tax bill, which may lag market value.
Mill rate —: another way some counties express the tax rate — dollars owed per $1,000 of assessed value. It converts to the same effective rate.
Homestead exemption —: a discount some states offer on the assessed value of your primary residence, which lowers your tax bill. You usually have to apply for it.
Escrow —: after you close, an ongoing account your lender manages that collects a slice of your property tax (and insurance) with every mortgage payment, then pays the county for you.
Reassessment —: when the county updates your home's assessed value — often triggered by a sale, renovation, or a routine cycle — which can raise (or lower) your tax bill.

Vermont Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Vermont

Highest rate

1.96%

Chittenden County (Burlington)

$7,811/yr on median-priced home

Lowest rate

1.42%

Essex County

$5,659/yr on median-priced home

County rate spread

Essex County

Chittenden County (Burlington)

1.42%1.73% statewide avg1.96%

Mistakes first-time buyers make

Assuming the seller's current tax bill is what you'll pay — reassessment at your purchase price often raises it.
Not checking whether the county offers a homestead exemption, then forgetting to apply for it after closing.
Missing the appeal deadline window — most counties only give you 30-90 days after your assessment notice arrives.
Comparing homes across counties using the statewide average rate instead of each county's actual rate.

Pro tips

Ask your agent for the exact county effective tax rate before you write an offer — not the statewide average.
Calculate what your bill would be after reassessment at your actual purchase price, not the seller's old assessed value.
Mark your calendar for the appeal deadline the day you get your first assessment notice — it's easy to miss.
If Vermont offers a homestead exemption, apply for it right after closing — it usually isn't automatic.

Property Tax Calculator — Vermont

Pre-loaded with Vermont's 1.73% effective rate and $398,500 median price

Home value$398,500

Effective tax rate1.73%

Rate source: Vermont Tax Foundation data

Monthly escrow

$575/mo

Annual property tax$6,894

10-year total$68,941

30-year total$206,822

Estimate based on effective rate. Actual bills vary by county and assessment.

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Property Tax by City in Vermont

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate. “% of P&I” shows how big the tax bill is relative to the principal & interest (P&I) portion of your mortgage payment.

Estimated property tax — Vermont cities

City	Median Price	Annual Tax	Monthly	% of P&I
Burlington	$512,000	$8,858	$738/mo	29%
South Burlington	$498,000	$8,615	$718/mo	29%
Stowe	$1,100,000	$19,030	$1,586/mo	29%
Montpelier	$368,000	$6,366	$531/mo	29%
Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024 — estimated at 1.73% effective rate

Vermont Homestead Exemption

Vermont offers a homestead exemption

Vermont Homestead Declaration: owner-occupied primary residences are designated 'homestead' and taxed at the statewide homestead rate (lower than the non-residential rate). The Renter Rebate and Homestead Property Tax Credit provide income-sensitive relief for qualifying low-to-moderate income homeowners.

Apply after purchase through your county assessor. Deadlines vary — check the link below.

Apply for Vermont homestead exemption →

How Vermont Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Annual assessment by local listers at 100% of fair market value. Common level of appraisal (CLA) adjusted by state to ensure equalization across towns.

Assessment cycle

Vermont reassesses property on a annual assessment by local listers at 100% of fair market value. common level of appraisal (cla) adjusted by state to ensure equalization across towns. schedule. Your assessed value changes on this cycle, so your tax bill can increase even if you haven't made improvements.

Assessed value vs. market value

Some states assess at a fraction of market value. Vermont's effective rate of 1.73% is calculated on market value. If you paid $398,500, your starting assessed value is approximately that amount.

How to appeal

If your assessment is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can appeal. File with your county Board of Assessment Appeals within the deadline on your notice (typically 30-90 days). Bring 3-5 recent comparable sales ("comps") pulled from Zillow or your county recorder. The process is free.

What drives reassessment

Triggers include your purchase price being recorded at county, permitted renovation work, and periodic mass appraisals. New construction is always assessed on completion.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $398,500 home in Vermont

Component	Monthly	Annual
Principal & Interest	$1,992	$23,904
Property Tax (1.73%)	$574	$6,888
Homeowners Insurance	$94	$1,128
Maintenance Reserve	$498	$5,976
Utilities	$330	$3,960
True monthly total	$3,488	$41,856

Property tax represents 16% of the true monthly cost in Vermont.

Where your money goes each month

Principal & Interest$1,992/mo (57%)

Property Tax$574/mo (16%)

Homeowners Insurance$94/mo (3%)

Maintenance Reserve$498/mo (14%)

Utilities$330/mo (9%)

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Vermont

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

Mortgage Estimator

Vermont rates pre-loaded

Home Price

Down Payment — 20% ($79,700)

3%50%

Interest Rate

Loan Term

Monthly Payment

$2,531

estimated all-in payment (PITI)

Loan amount$318,800

Principal & Interest$1,994/mo

Property Tax (1.07% rate)$355/mo

Home Insurance$182/mo

Total Monthly PITI$2,531

Total interest (30 yr)$399,081

Tax and insurance estimates use national averages. For Vermont-specific numbers, see the full breakdown below.

Excludes HOA fees. Rates and costs are estimates; actual costs vary.

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How Vermont's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$575/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

See what home price you can actually afford after factoring in Vermont's $575/month property tax burden.

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Property Tax After Refinancing in Vermont

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Mortgage Refinance Calculator

See if refinancing saves money after accounting for Vermont's property taxes — pre-loaded with the $398,500 median home value at 6.4%.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Vermont?: Vermont's effective property tax rate is 1.73%, ranking #5 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $6,894 ($575/month). Rates range from 1.42% in Essex County to 1.96% in Chittenden County (Burlington). Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.
Does Vermont have a homestead exemption?: Yes — Vermont offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Vermont Homestead Declaration: owner-occupied primary residences are designated 'homestead' and taxed at the statewide homestead rate (lower than the non-residential rate). The Renter Rebate and Homestead Property Tax Credit provide income-sensitive relief for qualifying low-to-moderate income homeowners.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.
How often is property reassessed in Vermont?: Vermont reassesses property on a annual assessment by local listers at 100% of fair market value. common level of appraisal (cla) adjusted by state to ensure equalization across towns. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.
How is property tax calculated in Vermont?: Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (some counties express the rate this way — dollars owed per $1,000 of assessed value — instead of a percentage). In Vermont, the effective rate is 1.73% of market value, which is the simplest way to compare rates across counties. On a $398,500 home: $398,500 × 1.73% = $6,894/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Vermont?: Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.
Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Vermont?: Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $575/month ($6,894/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.
What Vermont counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?: Vermont's highest effective rate is in Chittenden County (Burlington) at 1.96%. The lowest is Essex County at 1.42%. That's a 0.54% spread — on a $398,500 home, the difference is $2,152/year.