City Comparison
Amherst vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Amherst scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
11% lower than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Amherst | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,178 | -11% |
| Groceries | $344 | $400 | -14% |
| Utilities | $118 | $195 | -39% |
| Transport | $491 | $120 | +309% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $2,723 | -97% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $4,616 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 63% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Amherst | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | — | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Amherst is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | — |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#61Nova Scotia, Canada
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
Business
60
Albuquerque
#558New Mexico, USA
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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