The $100,000 Salary Analysis for Essex Junction, VT

This is a breakdown of what a $100,000 annual salary actually delivers to your bank account and your lifestyle in Essex Junction. We are ignoring "national averages" and focusing on the reality of Vermont taxation and Chittenden County costs.

1. The Verification Test

Before discussing your lifestyle, we must calculate your Net Pay (Purchasing Power). Vermont has a progressive income tax structure. You do not keep the gross amount.

• Gross Annual Income: $100,000
• Federal Income Tax: ~$14,300 (Standard deduction, Single Filer)
• FICA (Social Security/Medicare): $7,650
• Vermont State Income Tax: ~$5,400 (Vermont marginal rates range from 3.35% to 8.75%; a $100k salary lands in the ~5.4% effective bracket).

The Bottom Line:

• Estimated Annual Net Pay: $72,650
• Estimated Monthly Net Pay: $6,054

Note: This assumes you are single, take the standard deduction, and do not contribute to a 401(k) or Health Insurance pre-tax. If you max a 401(k), your monthly take-home drops by $1,000 immediately.

2. Smart Budget (50/30/20 Rule)

Using the $6,054 monthly net figure, here is how the standard budget allocation translates to Essex Junction reality.

50% NEEDS ($3,027)

• Rent (1BR Market Avg): $1,600 - $1,850. (Essex Junction is slightly cheaper than downtown Burlington, but not by much. $0 is a data error; this is the real cost).
• Utilities (Electric/Gas/Internet): $250 - $350. (Vermont winters drive heating costs high).
• Car (Payment/Gas/Ins): $500 - $700. (Public transit here is limited; a car is a mandatory expense).
• Groceries: $400 - $500. (Vermont food costs are higher than the national average).
• Remaining for Needs: ~$27. (You are effectively cash-poor after housing and transport).

30% WANTS ($1,816)

• This covers dining out, streaming, hobbies, and weekend trips.
• In Essex Junction, a significant portion of this likely gets absorbed by Gas and Heating Oil during winter months, leaving less for entertainment.

20% SAVINGS ($1,210)

• This is your only safety net.
• If you have student loans or credit card debt, this category disappears.
• If you max out a Roth IRA ($583/month), you are left with $627 for general savings or emergency fund building.

3. Essex Junction Tax Context

Vermont is High Tax.

• Vs. Texas/Florida: In a no-income-tax state, your monthly take-home would be roughly $6,650 (saving you $600/month).
• Vs. California/NY: VT is "lower" than the top brackets of CA/NY, but the property taxes and sales taxes in Chittenden County negate much of that savings.

The "Hidden" Tax:
Vermont has a 6% Sales Tax. On a $100k salary, if you spend $30k on taxable goods/services annually, that is an extra $1,800 ($150/month) effectively vanishing from your purchasing power.

4. FAQ

"Is $100k good here?"
It is a survival salary, not a wealth-building salary. You will live comfortably but not lavishly. You will likely need a dual income to buy a single-family home in Essex Junction without being house-poor. A $100k salary in Essex Junction has the purchasing power of roughly $68,000 in a no-tax state like Texas.

"Local income tax?"
No. Essex Junction does not levy a local income tax. Your tax burden is entirely Federal and Vermont State.

"Rent is listed as $None."
That is a data error. The market rate for a 1-Bedroom apartment in the 05452 zip code is currently $1,600+. Do not budget for $0.