Compare towns

Highgate vs Montgomery vs Proctor

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Highgate has the highest household income ($81k).
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Proctor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureHighgateMontgomeryProctor
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,047Lowest
1,794
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.4%
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
51.5±11.3Highest
19% above VT
42.4±6.4Lowest
about the VT average
Montgomery and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
15.5%±4.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Proctor and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
33.9%±8.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.4%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
28.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±3.2
VT: 7%
3.6%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
Proctor and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$53,289±$24kLowest
34% below VT
$74,167±$12k
9% below VT
Highgate and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$323,200±$45kHighest
about the VT average
$209,900±$17kLowest
34% below VT
Montgomery and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691
27% below VT
$868±$209Lowest
30% below VT
$1,029±$202Highest
17% below VT
Proctor and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$4,326Highest
14% below VT
$4,032
20% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
76.6%±68Highest
VT: 48.4%
37.3%±16.2
VT: 48.4%
Montgomery and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
15.6%
VT: 10.1%
16.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
32% above VT
37 minHighest
58% above VT
22 minLowest
6% below VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
16%±5.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Montgomery and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #43 of 70 in VT — —
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town Proctor Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Highest
—
8.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.