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MA area data

Amherst, MA

Amherst, MA.

Population: 13,510 (Census ACS)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with hurricane, icestorm, inlandflooding the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 5.8% above the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

Home values & appreciation

House Price Index (state)
467.4 (+2.1% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Above Average)
105.8 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
30.5¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$25.10/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
hurricane, iceStorm, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Low · drought: Relatively Low · earthquake: Relatively Low · hail: Relatively Low · heatWave: Relatively Low · hurricane: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 15% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
64.0%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
PSC Resources (21.6 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Annual precipitation
50.2 in
Annual snowfall
43.4 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
6a (extreme annual low -10 to -5°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
35
Days with Good air quality
324
Days with Moderate air quality
40
Highest AQI recorded (year)
112

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
4
Nearest national park
New England National Scenic Trail (8 mi)
National parks include
New England National Scenic Trail, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Coltsville National Historical Park
Airports within 30 mi
22
Nearest airport
Northampton Airport (3 mi)
Nearest major airport
Westover Metropolitan Airport / Westover Air Reserve Base (CEF) (13 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
28
Hospitals include
ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER, JOHNSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CHARLOTTE HUNGERFORD HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.0 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
184
Solar radiation rating
Fair (3.8 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,976
Housing built before 1970
38.4%
Housing built 2000 or later
41.1%
Households with broadband internet
75.0%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
48,352
Average weekly wage
$1,082
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Education, Accommodation & Food
Annual residential building permits (county)
113

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the natural-hazard risk in Amherst, MA?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: hurricane, iceStorm, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind.
What is the wildfire risk in Amherst, MA?
Risk to homes is higher than 15% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Amherst, MA?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Amherst, MA?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
What is the air quality in Amherst, MA?
Good. Median AQI: 35. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Amherst, MA?
Regional Price Parity: 105.8 (100 = US average) (Above Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP code for Amherst

Selling a home in Amherst, MA?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents