Compare towns

Whiting vs Exeter vs Amherst

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Whiting has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Exeter has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Amherst has the most kids (19.3% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureWhitingExeterAmherst
People
Population
506
1,093Highest
424Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-11.8%
ME: +2.6%
—
Median age
50±5Lowest
12% above ME
52.6±7.7Highest
17% above ME
50.9±9.9
14% above ME
Exeter and Amherst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.8%±4.8
ME: 18.1%
9%±3.1Lowest
ME: 18.1%
19.3%±8.6Highest
ME: 18.1%
Amherst and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.5%±6.1Highest
ME: 22.4%
23.9%±11.4Lowest
ME: 22.4%
24.3%±2.9
ME: 22.4%
Whiting and Amherst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.9%Highest
ME: 36.2%
15%Lowest
ME: 36.2%
31.3%
ME: 36.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.8Lowest
ME: 5.8%
3.4%±2.1
ME: 5.8%
3.8%±2.5Highest
ME: 5.8%
Amherst and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$55,263±$2kLowest
26% below ME
$84,408±$12kHighest
13% above ME
$72,656±$12k
about the ME average
Exeter and Amherst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$214,200±$52kHighest
28% below ME
$166,700±$39kLowest
44% below ME
$210,200±$38k
29% below ME
Whiting and Amherst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$600±$333Lowest
47% below ME
$995±$386Highest
13% below ME
—
Exeter and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,728Highest
43% below ME
$1,602
47% below ME
$1,527Lowest
50% below ME
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.3%±100Lowest
ME: 48.4%
33.3%±73.8Lowest
ME: 48.4%
50%±100Highest
ME: 48.4%
Amherst and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.3%Lowest
ME: 10.7%
8.1%Highest
ME: 10.7%
6.1%
ME: 10.7%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.6%
ME: 74.3%
93.1%Lowest
ME: 74.3%
96.9%Highest
ME: 74.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Lowest
4 yrs newer than ME
1991Highest
14 yrs newer than ME
1982
5 yrs newer than ME
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
10% below ME
35 minHighest
43% above ME
27 min
11% above ME
Work from home
5.1%±2.8Lowest
ME: 15.9%
10.3%±5.7
ME: 15.9%
11%±5.5Highest
ME: 15.9%
Amherst and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Whiting Public Schools — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

ME average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.