Cost of Living in Amherst County, Virginia

$842/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$197,200

Median Home Value

26% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$842/mo

26% below state average

Median Home Value

$197,200

30% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

29.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Amherst County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Amherst County$842/mo

Virginia Average$1,140/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$842/mo

Median Gross Rent

$197,200

Median Home Value

$867/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

29.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Amherst County, Virginia

Amherst delivers exceptional rental affordability

Amherst residents spend just 15.0% of household income on rent, well below the national average of 18.6%, with median rent of only $842 and household income of $67,298. This mountain county offers some of Virginia's most generous housing-to-income ratios.

Virginia's second-most affordable county

Amherst's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% ranks among Virginia's very best, 3.6 percentage points below the state average of 18.6%. The median gross rent of $842 is the second-lowest in the state, beaten only by nearby Alleghany County.

Rivals Alleghany for best rural value

Amherst's $842 rent edges out Appomattox ($883) and Amelia ($972) while falling just above Alleghany's $774, offering comparable affordability among central Virginia's best options. Its rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% trails only Alleghany's 16.8%.

Balanced housing costs on modest incomes

Renters pay $842 monthly while homeowners pay $867—nearly identical burdens—on a median household income of $67,298. Together, housing consumes just 15% of income, exceptional value for working families seeking stability.

Amherst suits affordability-first families

If you're relocating with a household income around $65,000 and want to minimize housing costs, Amherst offers some of Virginia's best value alongside solid local schools and community stability. The county's proximity to Lynchburg adds educational and employment opportunities.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Amherst County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

15.0%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,570

per month

Owner Cost Burden

15.5%

of gross income

The median home in Amherst County may be a stretch

Median home value is $197,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,574 vs. your max of $1,570.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio15.0%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Amherst County, Virginia?

Amherst County, Virginia has a median monthly rent of $842/mo and a median home value of $197,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 29.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Amherst County?

The median gross rent in Amherst County is $842/mo. This is 26% below state average for Virginia.

Is Amherst County affordable?

Amherst County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 29.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Amherst County's rent compare to the state average?

Amherst County's median rent of $842/mo is 26% below state average of $1,140/mo for Virginia.

What is the median home value in Amherst County?

The median home value in Amherst County, Virginia is $197,200. This is 30% below the national median home value of $281,900.