Compare towns
Manchester vs Norwich vs Rupert
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Manchester has the shortest commute (14 min average).
Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Rupert has the most homeowners (93.7%).
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.
| Measure | Manchester | Norwich | Rupert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,486Highest |
3,640 |
676Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 54.5±6.3 26% above VT |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% below VT |
57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
| Rupert and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.9%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Norwich and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.4% VT: 43.8% |
81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3Highest VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Manchester and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $94,886±$23k 17% above VT |
$140,313±$12kHighest 73% above VT |
$88,229±$36kLowest 9% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $454,600±$47k 44% above VT |
$637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
$362,500±$63kLowest 14% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,057±$76Lowest 14% below VT |
$1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,923 18% above VT |
$10,000+Highest at least 98% above VT |
$4,594Lowest 9% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±13.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
20%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Manchester and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% VT: 73.2% |
71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 39% below VT |
19 min 19% below VT |
27 minHighest 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±5.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
21%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Manchester and Norwich 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 | #37 of 70 in VT | #1 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Norwich School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.