To take home four times the typical rent, a full-time job in Vermont needs to pay from $29.76 an hour in Essex County to $52.79 in Chittenden County, before taxes. The middle county is Rutland County at $38.64.
| County | Pay needed | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| Addison County | $36.29/hr | $1,160/mo |
| Bennington County | $41.79/hr | $1,300/mo |
| Caledonia County | $38.05/hr | $1,205/mo |
| Chittenden County | $52.79/hr | $1,580/mo |
| Essex County | $29.76/hr | $970/mo |
| Franklin County | $43.75/hr | $1,350/mo |
| Grand Isle County | $46.89/hr | $1,430/mo |
| Lamoille County | $40.61/hr | $1,270/mo |
| Orange County | $34.36/hr | $1,110/mo |
| Orleans County | $33.69/hr | $1,090/mo |
| Rutland County | $38.64/hr | $1,220/mo |
| Washington County | $40.61/hr | $1,270/mo |
| Windham County | $38.64/hr | $1,220/mo |
| Windsor County | $46.11/hr | $1,410/mo |
The Four Times Rent standard: a month of full-time work (160 hours) should take home at least four times the typical rent on a studio apartment in the county where the work is done. Rents: HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents. Taxes: 2026 federal, state and local income taxes plus Social Security and Medicare, for a single filer. Why four times rent?