Amherst is a small town of 988 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $53,625
and a 3.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Amherst stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. 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: 93.0
Amherst's overall cost of living index is 93.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Amherst costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Amherst, WI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$205,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$803
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
64.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,625
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Amherst's violent crime rate is 130.0 per 100,000 residents
— 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
130.0 /100k
Property Crime
621.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Amherst is served primarily by Tomorrow River School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Amherst, WI
National Avg
School District
Tomorrow River School District
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
26.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Amherst sees average highs of 25.1°F in January
and 82.0°F in July,
with 33.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 49.3 inches of snow per year.
Amherst's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Amherst roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $205,000 and median rent is $803/month.
Amherst's violent crime rate is 130.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 621.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Amherst are operated by Tomorrow River School District.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1. 26.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Amherst, WI has a population of 988, a median household income of $53,625, and an unemployment rate of 3.3%.
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.
Amherst averages 25.1°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.8 inches
with about 49.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Amherst, WI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 54406.
The population of Amherst, Wisconsin is 988 with a median age of 44.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Amherst: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $205,000, median household income $53,625, crime index 32 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. 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.
