Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Pennsylvania and Vermont. Updated for 2026.
Pennsylvania and Vermont are evenly matched across major housing cost categories. Your decision may come down to other factors like job market, climate, or lifestyle preferences. Use the calculators below to model your specific scenario.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
The monthly payment difference is $866/month — that’s $10,392/year or $312K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Pennsylvania is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in Vermont, you need a household income of approximately $128K/year. In Pennsylvania, you need $91K/year — less by $37K/year. That $37K income gap means Pennsylvania is accessible to a significantly wider range of households.
Pennsylvania offers meaningfully lower home prices than Vermont, with median prices running 26% less ($100K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Vermont may find Pennsylvania far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Pennsylvania has a moderate property tax advantage at 1.36% versus Vermont's 1.9%. While the rate gap of 0.54% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $3,412 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $27K in savings.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage provides Up to $6,000 DPA, while Vermont's VHFA MOVE Mortgage offers $5K–$15K DPA. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: Pennsylvania and Vermont are broadly similar in housing costs, with only $866/month separating them in total PITI payments. In cases like this, your decision should be driven by lifestyle preferences — job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, and quality of life — rather than pure cost savings. Either state offers a reasonable path to homeownership.