What are the schools like in Amherst, NH?

Amherst is served primarily by Amherst School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.9:1.

What is the median household income in Amherst?

The median household income in Amherst, NH is $144,940 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.0%.

What is the weather like in Amherst, NH?

Amherst has an average high temperature of 33.2°F in January and 83.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 57.4 inches.

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

Q: Is Amherst, NH affordable or expensive?

Amherst's cost of living index is 107, where 100 represents the national average. This means Amherst is 7% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $477,900 and the median rent is $1,433 per month.

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

Amherst has a violent crime rate of 8.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 931.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Amherst, NH a Good Place to Live?

Amherst is a small town of 682 in New Hampshire, with a median household income of $144,940 . Its cost of living index is 107 (US average = 100), which is 7% above the national average.

Strengths: Amherst stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A+), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices, longer commutes. 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: 106.8

Amherst's overall cost of living index is 106.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Amherst costs roughly 7% more than the average American city.

Metric	Amherst, NH	National Avg
Median Home Value	$477,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,433	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	91.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$144,940	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Amherst's violent crime rate is 8.4 per 100,000 residents — 98% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

8.4 /100k

Property Crime

931.1 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Amherst is served primarily by Amherst School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Amherst, NH	National Avg
School District	Amherst School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	67.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	100.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Amherst sees average highs of 33.2°F in January and 83.4°F in July, with 46.0 inches of annual precipitation and 57.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Amherst, NH
Average High — January	33.2°F
Average High — July	83.4°F
Annual Precipitation	46.0"
Annual Snowfall	57.4"

Demographics

Metric	Amherst, NH	National Avg
Population	682	—
Median Age	39.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	39.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	92.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	22.0%	22.2%
65 and over	25.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Milford, NH 4 mi Wilton, NH 6 mi Klondike Corner, NH 7 mi East Merrimack, NH 7 mi New Boston, NH 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Amherst

Amherst, NH is covered by 1 ZIP code:

03031

Amherst vs Other Cities

Amherst, NH vs Milford, NH Amherst, NH vs Wilton, NH Amherst, NH vs Klondike Corner, NH Amherst, NH vs East Merrimack, NH Amherst, NH vs New Boston, NH

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amherst, NH affordable or expensive?

Amherst's cost of living index is 107, where 100 is the national average. That puts Amherst roughly 7% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $477,900 and median rent is $1,433/month.

What is the crime rate in Amherst, NH?

Amherst's violent crime rate is 8.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 931.1 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 School District. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.9:1. 67.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Amherst, NH a good place to live?

Amherst, NH has a population of 682, a median household income of $144,940, and an unemployment rate of 0.0%. 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 33.2°F in January and 83.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.0 inches with about 57.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Amherst?

Amherst, NH is covered by 1 ZIP code: 03031.

What is the population of Amherst?

The population of Amherst, New Hampshire is 682 with a median age of 39.9. 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 107 (100 = US average), median home $477,900, median household income $144,940, crime index 19 (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.