City Comparison
Amherst vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Amherst scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
52% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Amherst | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $2,184 | -52% |
| Groceries | $344 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $118 | $231 | -49% |
| Transport | $491 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $150 | -41% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $3,015 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 42% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Amherst delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Amherst | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
For walkability, Amherst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Amherst is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
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.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
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
Los Angeles
#157California, USA
42.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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