Cost of Living in Ames, IA
Population 66,112 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Ames's demographic profile reads like a college town: median age of 23, and 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree — a share well above the national baseline. Housing and rent cycles track the academic calendar more than the broader Iowa economy. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Ames is about 30 miles north of Des Moines, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 44% higher than Des Moines' $184,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ames
The median home value in Ames is $263,800 — 14% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,040/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,102/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. Overall, Ames has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Ames, IA?
Ames has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.
What is average rent in Ames, IA?
The median gross rent in Ames is $1,040 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ames?
The median home value in Ames is $263,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ames?
The median household income in Ames is $60,102 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ames, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ames is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Ames, IA affordable?
Yes, Ames is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.
Ames at a Glance
- Population
- 66,112
- Median Income
- $60,102
- Home Value
- $263,800
- Median Rent
- $1,040/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.4%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
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