Cost of Living in Amherst, OH

Population 12,796 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

69
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Amherst stay well under national norms: a median home value of $223,000 against median household incomes of $93,043 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Ohio.

Amherst is about 30 miles west of Cleveland, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 137% higher than Cleveland's $94,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 63

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Amherst

The median home value in Amherst is $222,700 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $832/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $93,043/year is 25% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 59.2°F and lows of 41.2°F. Overall, Amherst has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$222,700
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$269,999
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$832/mo
37% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$686
1 BR
$748
2 BR
$929
3 BR
$1,199
4 BR
$1,374
Owner-occupied 87.7%
Renter-occupied 12.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$832
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,446/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.5 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.9%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
9.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.2%
State rate 5.8%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$93,043
25% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,139
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
16% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
65.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.7%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.4
Male median age 41.9
Female median age 45.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.2°F
Avg Low
41.2°F
Annual Precip
36.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343645597079828075634939
Low °F 202129394959626053433426
Precip" 2.111.662.483.283.643.873.563.633.743.502.962.29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
90.9%
Good air days/yr
90
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
243
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
3,534
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Amherst, OH?

Amherst has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.

What is average rent in Amherst, OH?

The median gross rent in Amherst is $832 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Amherst?

The median home value in Amherst is $222,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Amherst?

The median household income in Amherst is $93,043 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Amherst, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Amherst is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Amherst, OH affordable?

Yes, Amherst is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Amherst?

Amherst has average high temperatures of 59.2°F and average lows of 41.2°F. Annual precipitation is 36.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Amherst at a Glance

Population
12,796
Median Income
$93,043
Home Value
$222,700
Median Rent
$832/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
59.2°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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