Cost of Living in Amherst, NH
Population 11,821 · New Hampshire · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Amherst a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $495,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Amherst sits roughly 11 miles southwest of Manchester — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 47% higher than Manchester's $336,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Amherst
The median home value in Amherst is $494,500 — 62% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,447/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $150,938/year is 102% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. New Hampshire charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 59.8°F and lows of 40.4°F. Overall, Amherst has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 34 | 37 | 46 | 59 | 70 | 79 | 84 | 82 | 75 | 62 | 50 | 39 |
| Low °F | 17 | 19 | 27 | 38 | 48 | 58 | 64 | 62 | 54 | 42 | 33 | 24 |
| Precip" | 2.44 | 2.73 | 3.45 | 3.33 | 3.38 | 4.04 | 3.30 | 3.35 | 3.72 | 3.88 | 3.48 | 3.29 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Amherst, NH?
Amherst has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.
What is average rent in Amherst, NH?
The median gross rent in Amherst is $1,447 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Amherst?
The median home value in Amherst is $494,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Amherst?
The median household income in Amherst is $150,938 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Amherst, NH?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Amherst is 0.0%. New Hampshire has no state income tax.
Is Amherst, NH affordable?
Amherst is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Amherst?
Amherst has average high temperatures of 59.8°F and average lows of 40.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Amherst at a Glance
- Population
- 11,821
- Median Income
- $150,938
- Home Value
- $494,500
- Median Rent
- $1,447/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.3%
- Avg High Temp
- 59.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
New Hampshire Rankings
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