Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Barrie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Barrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
37% lower than Barrie's.
| Metric | Amherst | Barrie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,669 | -37% |
| Groceries | $344 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $118 | $182 | -35% |
| Transport | $491 | $90 | +446% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,391 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 70 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Barrie offers 43% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $66,756 in Barrie.
| Metric | Amherst | Barrie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $50,212 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $66,756 |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $73,434 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Barrie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Amherst.
For walkability, Amherst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Barrie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Amherst.
From a growth perspective, Barrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Amherst has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Barrie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 169,419 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 39.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 9.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amherst
Advantages
The cost of living in Amherst is 6% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Amherst serves as a strategic gateway community into Nova Scotia, offering excellent transportation links and proximity to New Brunswick.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services at the 24/7 Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, which provides a wide range of specialties.
The town is considered a 'very walkable community' with various outdoor and indoor walking options available to residents.
Amherst has experienced a positive population growth rate of 1.8% year-over-year as of 2024, indicating a growing community.
Drawbacks
Amherst's crime rates are significantly higher, reported to be 154% above the Nova Scotia average.
Public transportation options are minimal, with only 0.4% of commuters using it, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
The median household income in Amherst is $38,920 USD, which is lower than the Nova Scotia median household income of $49,950 USD.
With a median age of 46.2 years, the town has an older demographic profile, which may appeal less to younger populations seeking a vibrant youth culture.
Job growth in Nova Scotia, while positive, has slowed to 0.4% in 2025, potentially impacting local employment opportunities.
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#5Nova Scotia, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
Business
60
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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