Retail Trade in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Metro Market Score 67.3 (Difficult), ranked #323 of 378 metros. 942 establishments, 13,723 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Wage costs in Burlington-South Burlington's retail trade sector are well above the metro average, with wage competitiveness at 88.4 and rising pressure at 68.4. New entrants should factor higher labor costs into their financial projections for this market.
942 Retail Trade Firms in Burlington-South Burlington
Burlington-South Burlington vs Vermont Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Vermont overall. The state ranks #45/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Burlington-South Burlington | VT Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.3 Difficult | 52.1 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #323 of 378 metros | #45 of 51 states |
Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.
Other Industries in Burlington-South Burlington
Retail Trade Metros With Similar Conditions
Metros within 5 points of Burlington-South Burlington's 67.3 score. Useful when comparing markets with comparable entry profiles.
Retail Trade in States Bordering Vermont
State-level entry risk for retail trade in adjacent states. Use this to weigh cross-border options.
Browse Retail Trade in Other States
State-level entry risk reports for retail trade across all 51 markets, sorted by rank.
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.