Amherst, VA vs Marion, VA

Amherst, VA and Marion, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Amherst scores 70 while Marion scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst is $686/month compared to $696/month in Marion — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Amherst has cheaper rent, Marion actually has lower median home values ($160,600 vs $213,300).

Median household income in Amherst is $71,313 compared to $37,357 in Marion (+90.9%). 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 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.4% in Marion.