What are the schools like in Amherst, NE?

Amherst is served primarily by AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.

What is the median household income in Amherst?

The median household income in Amherst, NE is $63,929 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.5%.

What is the weather like in Amherst, NE?

Amherst has an average high temperature of 35.9°F in January and 86.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 26.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 25.0 inches.

Amherst, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Amherst, NE affordable or expensive?

Amherst's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Amherst is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $125,000 and the median rent is $642 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Amherst, NE?

Amherst has a violent crime rate of 259.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1363.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Amherst, NE a Good Place to Live?

Amherst is a small town of 247 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $63,929 and a 9.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Amherst stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Amherst is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Amherst city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.8

Amherst's overall cost of living index is 87.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Amherst costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Amherst, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$125,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$642	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	76.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$63,929	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Amherst's violent crime rate is 259.8 per 100,000 residents — 32% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

259.8 /100k

Property Crime

1363.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Amherst is served primarily by AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Amherst, NE	National Avg
School District	AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	37.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Amherst sees average highs of 35.9°F in January and 86.6°F in July, with 26.0 inches of annual precipitation and 25.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Amherst, NE
Average High — January	35.9°F
Average High — July	86.6°F
Annual Precipitation	26.0"
Annual Snowfall	25.0"

Demographics

Metric	Amherst, NE	National Avg
Population	247	—
Median Age	36.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	98.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.2%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	32.4%	22.2%
65 and over	21.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Riverdale, NE 7 mi Miller, NE 9 mi Odessa, NE 10 mi Elm Creek, NE 10 mi Glenwood, NE 11 mi

ZIP Codes in Amherst

Amherst, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68812

Amherst vs Other Cities

Amherst, NE vs Riverdale, NE Amherst, NE vs Miller, NE Amherst, NE vs Odessa, NE Amherst, NE vs Elm Creek, NE Amherst, NE vs Glenwood, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amherst, NE affordable or expensive?

Amherst's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Amherst roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $125,000 and median rent is $642/month.

What is the crime rate in Amherst, NE?

Amherst's violent crime rate is 259.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1363.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Amherst?

Public schools in Amherst are operated by AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 37.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Amherst, NE a good place to live?

Amherst, NE has a population of 247, a median household income of $63,929, and an unemployment rate of 9.5%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Amherst?

Amherst averages 35.9°F in January and 86.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 26.0 inches with about 25.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Amherst?

Amherst, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68812.

What is the population of Amherst?

The population of Amherst, Nebraska is 247 with a median age of 36.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Amherst?

Key numbers for living in Amherst: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $125,000, median household income $63,929, crime index 67 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Amherst side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.