Amherst, VA vs Potomac Mills, VA

The cost of living difference between Amherst, VA and Potomac Mills, VA is dramatic. Amherst is 51.8% cheaper than Potomac Mills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amherst has a cost index of 70 while Potomac Mills sits at 145, 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 $686/month compared to $2,025/month in Potomac Mills — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amherst is more affordable at $213,300 median vs $553,200.

Median household income in Amherst is $71,313 compared to $102,464 in Potomac Mills (-30.4%). The higher salaries in Potomac Mills partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.7% in Potomac Mills.