2026 Relocation Deep Dive: Barre, Vermont

1. Barre: The Data Profile (2026)

Barre represents a specific archetype of the post-2024 economic landscape: the "stable micro-economy." With a population of 8,461, it is statistically significant as a small city rather than a rural town. The primary economic friction point is the -28.5% income deficit relative to the national median; the median income sits at $53,288 compared to the US average of $74,580. However, educational attainment is statistically average at 32.7% (US avg: 33.1%), suggesting a workforce that is neither significantly under-educated nor over-qualified for the local market.

Statistical Target Demographic: The data identifies the ideal Barre resident as a "Hybrid-Era Cost Optimizer." This demographic prioritizes the 0.0% deviation in core Cost of Living (COL) indices over raw salary potential. They are typically remote workers earning a national-average salary who leverage Barre’s housing stability, or they are local industry specialists capitalizing on the 2.6% unemployment rate—significantly lower than the national 4.0%.

2. Cost of Living Analysis

Despite the income deficit, Barre offers a unique value proposition: a "flat-line" cost structure. Every major category—Housing, Groceries, Transportation, and Healthcare—indexes at exactly 100.0, meaning the local purchasing power matches the national average if the salary is adjusted. The only outlier is energy costs; electricity is currently 21.9 cents/kWh, which is 36.9% higher than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh.

Disposable Income Analysis:
For a single professional, the flat COL is a trap unless they import income. If a resident earns the local median of $53,288, their disposable income is tight. However, a remote worker earning the national median of $74,580 sees an immediate surplus of roughly $1,000+ per month purely on the spread between salary and costs.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

3. Housing Market Deep Dive

The Barre housing market is defined by "National Parity." Unlike inflated metros where housing indices hit 200+, Barre sits at a 100.0 Housing Index. This creates a predictable environment for buyers and renters. Buying is statistically safer here than in volatile markets because the Price-to-Income ratio is manageable.

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
With a median home price of $285,000 and a median rent (1BR) of $1,100, the price-to-rent ratio is roughly 21.6x. In financial terms, this leans slightly in favor of buying long-term, provided you stay 7+ years. However, the 0.0% deviation from the US average means there is no "distressed discount" to be found; the market is fairly valued.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

4. Economic & Job Market Outlook

The "Post-Remote" economy has stabilized Barre’s workforce. The 2.6% unemployment rate is a critical data point; it indicates a labor shortage, not a labor surplus. For a relocating professional, this means job security is high if you are already employed remotely. For local job seekers, it means leverage.

RTO & Commute:
Because Barre is a small city (8,461 pop), the "super-commute" is non-existent. The average commute time is estimated at 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 27 minutes. There is no traffic infrastructure to fail during RTO (Return to Office) surges. However, the local industry is heavily reliant on manufacturing and granite; the tech sector is virtually non-existent locally, reinforcing the necessity of remote income.

5. Quality of Life Audit

Barre presents a "High Risk/High Reward" health profile based on behavioral factors versus environmental factors. While the aggregate Health Score is a respectable 79.5/100, the underlying behavioral metrics are concerning: 31.8% obesity rate and 17.3% smoking rate. These are slightly above or at the US average, suggesting lifestyle risks are prevalent.

Air Quality & Environment:
Environmentally, Barre is pristine. Specific PM2.5 data is low, and the AQI is consistently in the "Good" range (0-50), a stark contrast to urban centers. This environmental quality likely offsets some behavioral health risks.

Schools & Weather:
The weather snapshot is 43.0°F with a high of 46°F, typical for the region. While specific school district ratings are not provided in the dataset, the low unemployment rate (2.6%) and stable housing index suggest a fiscally stable municipality capable of funding public infrastructure.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics (Health, Air Quality, Unemployment)

6. The Verdict

Pros:

• Labor Market Power: With unemployment at 2.6%, labor scarcity provides job security.
• Rent Stability: Rent is 35.3% lower than the national average for 1BR units.
• Air Quality: AQI and PM2.5 levels are significantly cleaner than the US average.
• Commute: Average commute is sub-20 minutes.

Cons:

• Income Ceiling: Local median income is $53,288, which is $21,292 below the national median.
• Energy Costs: Electricity is 36.9% more expensive than the national average.
• Health Risks: High smoking rate (17.3%) and average obesity (31.8%).

Final Recommendation:
Barre is a Buy (for Remote Workers) market. It is not recommended for those seeking local career advancement in tech or finance due to the -28.5% income deficit. However, for remote workers earning the national median or higher, Barre offers a "Cost of Living Arbitrage" opportunity. You can maintain national-average spending while securing housing that is 30% cheaper than the US median.

7. FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Barre?
For a single adult, a salary of $65,000 provides a comfortable buffer above the $2,430 monthly burn rate. For a family of 4, $95,000 is recommended to maintain savings rates.

2. How does Barre value compare to other Vermont cities?
Barre mirrors the state average but offers better housing availability than Burlington. While Burlington rents are often 20-30% higher, Barre maintains the same flat COL index of 100.0.

3. Are the safety stats reliable with a 2.6% unemployment rate?
Generally, yes. Low unemployment (2.6%) correlates strongly with lower property crime. While specific violent crime per 100k data is not listed in the verified set, the low unemployment suggests high community stability.

4. Is now the right time to buy?
With a Median Home Price of $285,000 and a Housing Index of 100.0, the market is stable. Unlike speculative bubbles, Barre’s pricing is anchored to national averages, making it a low-volatility entry point for buyers in 2026.