City Comparison
Amherst vs Grand Rapids
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grand Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
30% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Amherst | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,500 | -30% |
| Groceries | $344 | $650 | -47% |
| Utilities | $118 | $235 | -50% |
| Transport | $491 | $150 | +227% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $152 | -42% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,687 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 42% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Amherst | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 21.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Amherst.
From a growth perspective, Amherst is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 3.60% |
| 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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#27Nova Scotia, Canada
58.4 / 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
Grand Rapids
#60Michigan, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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