Assisted living communities in Vermont provide long-term housing and personalized care for older adults who need help with daily activities while maintaining a level of independence. The average starting cost of assisted living in Vermont is about $6,337 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. From the historic capital of Montpelier to the scenic ski areas of Woodford and West Dover, Vermont offers a peaceful setting shaped by strong community values, natural beauty, and vibrant fall foliage — making it an appealing choice for seniors seeking a quieter, nature-centered retirement.
enjoys her time here Food in dining room has been good. Does not participate in activities but says at 90, she is past her time. But all activities seem to make other residents happy.
My mom pays for a single meal a day, she is 95 and living in a 1 bedroom independent living space. The space is spacious with ample closets and kitchen appliances. Unfurnished otherwise. Cleaners come in...
For the short time I have been living at The Residence at Shelburne Bay, I have had nice experiences. The staff and residents are all friendly and helpful. There are many things to do, both physically and...
My mom pays for a single meal a day, she is 95 and living in a 1 bedroom independent living space. The space is spacious with ample closets and kitchen appliances. Unfurnished otherwise. Cleaners come in...
For the short time I have been living at The Residence at Shelburne Bay, I have had nice experiences. The staff and residents are all friendly and helpful. There are many things to do, both physically and...
The staff was minimal on weekends. Maple Ridge assisted living coordinator told me that this would be my mother's final home, that they were experienced with residents with Parkinson's disease, that Mom...
The facility is very clean and is furnished beautifully, which gives it an excellent first impression. But, more importantly, every staff member we have interacted with is very caring and concerned about my...
The staff is friendly and caring. They work very hard to make sure everyone is well fed and comfortable. The atmosphere is very "homey". They could improve on the food choices and quality. The activities are...
My mom pays for a single meal a day, she is 95 and living in a 1 bedroom independent living space. The space is spacious with ample closets and kitchen appliances. Unfurnished otherwise. Cleaners come in...
They need to work on getting new residents acclimated and feeling at home. My dad joined the welcoming committee to help with that
I would give a 5 for every category. The Gazebo North community is an excellent facility with well trained and caring staff1. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would in a heartbeat recommend...
The staff was minimal on weekends. Maple Ridge assisted living coordinator told me that this would be my mother's final home, that they were experienced with residents with Parkinson's disease, that Mom...
enjoys her time here Food in dining room has been good. Does not participate in activities but says at 90, she is past her time. But all activities seem to make other residents happy.
My mom pays for a single meal a day, she is 95 and living in a 1 bedroom independent living space. The space is spacious with ample closets and kitchen appliances. Unfurnished otherwise. Cleaners come in...
At an average of $6,337 per month, assisted living in Vermont costs about $1,585 more than the national monthly average, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This base rate generally includes housing, meals, and essential services at our partner communities, but total monthly costs will depend on your loved one’s individual needs and lifestyle choices.
Several key factors can influence the total cost of assisted living:
The cost of assisted living in Vermont is comparable to that in other New England states, such as Maine and New Hampshire. In Massachusetts and Connecticut, costs are significantly higher. Costs also vary throughout the state. Communities in the popular Lake Champlain destination of Burlington, for example, cost about $200 more per month than the state average. Seniors and families looking for savings might consider historic Bennington or Bellows Falls in the south of the state or look to the Canadian border town of Derby Line.
Seniors who are able to live on their own, but want a lower maintenance lifestyle can find around $1,000 per month savings in Vermont’s independent living communities. What’s more important, though, is to ensure your loved one is in the right living situation for the level of care they need.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
Vermont
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Vermont | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $6,528/mo | $4,784/mo | 36.5% above national median |
| Memory Care | $6,835/mo | $5,056/mo | 35.2% above national median |
| Independent Living | $5,585/mo | $4,247/mo | 31.5% above national median |
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In Vermont, most families use a combination of private funds and public programs to cover the costs associated with assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. For a more in-depth look at different payment options, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.
Private pay is the most common way that families in Vermont cover the cost of assisted living. These resources include savings and retirement accounts or Social Security benefits. Families can also use the proceeds from selling a home or long-term care insurance.
Veterans and their spouses may be eligible for certain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Navigating these benefits can be complex, so Vermont’s veterans and their families should consider working with an accredited benefits counselor when applying.
The State of Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs offers guidance and resources to veterans, surviving spouses, and their families. Call 802-828-1082 to make an appointment with a counselor in a regional office.
Medicaid is a program jointly managed by the federal and state governments and is designed to support people who have low incomes and certain disabilities and conditions. Vermont’s Medicaid program is also known as Green Mountain Care. Medicaid doesn’t cover room and board; however, Vermont’s Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (MABD) benefits can cover the cost of certain personal and health care expenses. For example:
Vermont’s regular Medicaid plan also operates a program called Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS). Like the state’s ABD Medicaid, the ACCS program is an entitlement, meaning that all eligible seniors will receive services. ACCS can help cover the cost of personal care services, medication assistance, skilled nursing, and more when the senior lives in a Medicaid-certified community.[04]
In addition to these two programs, Vermont also offers a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program called Choices for Care. This program can help offset the costs of long-term care services for eligible people who live in an assisted living facility.[05] Because this program isn’t an entitlement, there may be a waiting period for services.
If you or your loved one has questions about Vermont’s Medicaid programs, call 800-250-8427.
Medicare is a federal health care program for seniors over 65 and people with certain conditions and disabilities. While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in assisted living, it can be used to pay for medically necessary services and products, such as doctor’s visits, prescriptions, medical supplies, and more.[06]
Vermont’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provides personalized benefits counseling. The state’s area agencies on aging (AAA) operate the program. Call 800-642-5119 to be connected to a local AAA counselor.
Within Vermont, the Agency of Human Services’ Division of Licensing and Protection oversees the state’s assisted living facilities. Facilities are licensed at two levels, each of which provides care services to people who can’t live independently:[07]
Both ALRs and RCHs must be inspected before they may be licensed, and on an ongoing basis thereafter. To provide care for residents who have dementia, an ALR or RCH must seek approval from Vermont’s licensing agency.[07]
Consult Vermont’s list of licensed ALRs and list of licensed RCHs to understand a community’s license status. For information about how a community has performed in its survey, which includes inspections for safety and other regulatory standards, consult the online ALR survey results and RCH survey results. If you don’t find information about the community you’re interested in, contact send an email to AHS.DAILDLPSurveyandCertification@vermont.gov or call 802-241-0480.
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom Proprietary Data.
Department of Vermont Health Access. Medicaid.
Department of Vermont Health Access. Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MABD).
Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. Choices for Care program.
Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. (2018, Jan.). Assistive Community Care Services.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
Vermont Agency of Human Services. Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. Division of Licensing and Protection. (2025, April 1). Residential Care Home and Assisted Living Licensing Rules.
Overview of assisted living in VT
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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