What is the cost of living in Amherst, OH?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Amherst has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Ohio, Amherst has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Ohio's index of 90.
The standard of living in Amherst ranks as #138 most affordable out of the 284 places we measured in Ohio. By definition, that implies Amherst ranks as the #146 most expensive place in the Buckeye State.
For more reading on life in Amherst, check out:
Amherst Cost Of Living Vs. Ohio
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Amherst. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Amherst is 94.
The Groceries index in Amherst is 93.
The Health index in Amherst is 86.
The Housing index in Amherst is 95.
The Transportation index in Amherst is 94.
The Utilities index in Amherst is 98.
| Living Expense | Amherst | Ohio | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 86 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 97 | 100 |
Amherst Cost Of Living Compared To Ohio Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Ohio, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Amherst Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Amherst, OH Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Ohio, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Amherst is $274,430.
The Median Rent in Amherst is $906.
The Median Income in Amherst is $90,725.
The Home Value To Income in Amherst is 3.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Amherst is 0.12x.
Amherst, OH Costs By Category
Detailed Amherst Services costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Amherst Groceries costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Amherst Health costs vs. Ohio
Detailed Amherst Transportation costs vs. Ohio
Amherst SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Amherst
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Amherst. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Lorain, OH has a cost of living index of 82, 0.9x Amherst.
Elyria, OH has a cost of living index of 87, 1.0x Amherst.
North Ridgeville, OH has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Amherst.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Amherst |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain, OH | 65,395 | 82 | 0.9x |
| Elyria, OH | 53,035 | 87 | 1.0x |
| North Ridgeville, OH | 36,627 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Westlake, OH | 34,104 | 110 | 1.2x |
| North Olmsted, OH | 31,924 | 96 | 1.1x |
| Avon Lake, OH | 25,752 | 110 | 1.2x |
| Avon, OH | 25,317 | 114 | 1.3x |
| Berea, OH | 18,218 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Fairview Park, OH | 17,018 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Vermilion, OH | 10,343 | 89 | 1.0x |








