Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Nitro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
74% higher compared to Amherst.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
13% lower than Nitro's.
| Metric | Amherst | Nitro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,200 | -13% |
| Groceries | $344 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $118 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $491 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $1,200 | +74% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 64% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nitro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $19,440 in Nitro.
| Metric | Amherst | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $78,954 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $19,440 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 78,172 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $53,848 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Nitro.
For walkability, Amherst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Amherst is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Amherst 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 | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 6,366 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 8.30% |
| 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.
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#4Nova 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
Nitro
#23West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
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