Amherst, OH vs Ottawa, OH

Ottawa is moderately more affordable than Amherst, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. Amherst scores 76 compared to 69 for Ottawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Amherst can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst is $832/month compared to $739/month in Ottawa — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottawa is more affordable at $175,300 median vs $222,700.

Median household income in Amherst is $93,043 compared to $66,268 in Ottawa (+40.4%). While Amherst is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 13.4% in Ottawa.