Amherst, TX vs Balcones Heights, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Amherst is 16.7% cheaper than Balcones Heights. With a cost index of 66 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Amherst to Balcones Heights should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst is $969/month compared to $927/month in Balcones Heights — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Balcones Heights has cheaper rent, Amherst actually has lower median home values ($36,300 vs $214,300).

Median household income in Amherst is $54,583 compared to $28,082 in Balcones Heights (+94.4%). Amherst offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 39.6% in Balcones Heights. The Amherst ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.