Amherst 81 Exceptional
Amherst Livability #100 ranked city in Ohio#1,523 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Amherst

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Amherst?

Amherst is a medium-sized city located in the state of Ohio. The city has a population of 12,470 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, Amherst could be considered less diverse than other cities.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Amherst could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Ohio if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Amherst, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, education, employment, housing and more.

Amherst, OH receives 81/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #72 in Ohio and #1,106 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Amherst ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Amherst also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Amherst has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+). Amherst does not do well for the following: amenities (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Amherst, the average school test scores are an impressive 78%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Amherst apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Amherst real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Amherst. The median home price for Amherst homes is $296,830, which is 26.4% higher than the Ohio average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Amherst, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Amherst

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      Amherst transportation information

      Statistic Amherst Ohio National
      Average one way commute22min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.4%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home5.8%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Amherst, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.