Bennington vs Brattleboro: Housing Costs in Vermont
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Bennington and Brattleboro, Vermont. Using Vermont's 1.9% property tax rate and $1,100/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Bennington
Brattleboro
Median Home Price
$245K
$275K
Population
15,333
12,184
Average Rent
$1,180/mo
$1,280/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,394/mo
$1,564/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$388/mo
$435/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$92/mo
$92/mo
Est. Total PITI
$1,965/mo
$2,195/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3
17.9
Verdict
Bennington edges out Brattleboro in affordability, saving you roughly $230/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Vermont, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Vermont's 1.9% property tax rate.
Bennington
Home Price$245,000
Down Payment (10%)$24,500
Loan Amount$220,500
Monthly P&I$1,394
Monthly Property Tax$388
Monthly Insurance$92
Monthly PMI$92
Total PITI$1,965/mo
Annual property tax: $4,655
Brattleboro
Home Price$275,000
Down Payment (10%)$27,500
Loan Amount$247,500
Monthly P&I$1,564
Monthly Property Tax$435
Monthly Insurance$92
Monthly PMI$103
Total PITI$2,195/mo
Annual property tax: $5,225
Buying in Bennington saves you approximately $230/month ($2,760/year) compared to Brattleboro, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Bennington is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $245K versus $275K in Brattleboro. That's $30K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $9K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Bennington, compared to $10K in Brattleboro. Vermont offers the VHFA MOVE Mortgage program ($5K–$15K DPA) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Bennington has the better price-to-rent ratio at 17.3x versus 17.9x in Brattleboro. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Bennington is $1,180/month on a $245K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Bennington (pop. 15,333) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Brattleboro (pop. 12,184) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Bennington offers both more options and lower housing costs, making it attractive for families who want urban amenities without a premium price.