Amherst, OH vs Upper Arlington, OH

The cost of living difference between Amherst, OH and Upper Arlington, OH is dramatic. Amherst is 39% cheaper than Upper Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amherst has a cost index of 76 while Upper Arlington sits at 125, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst is $832/month compared to $1,480/month in Upper Arlington — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amherst is more affordable at $222,700 median vs $568,200.

Median household income in Amherst is $93,043 compared to $150,993 in Upper Arlington (-38.4%). The higher salaries in Upper Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 11.8% in Upper Arlington.