Living in Ames, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ames · Census data 2020–2024
Ames has 67,669 residents with a median age of 23.3. The median household income is $60,991 (19% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $277,400, the median rent is $1,023/month.
Ames at a glance
- Population
- 67,669
- Median age
- 23.3State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $60,991State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $277,400State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,023/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 42.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Ames a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; home values 33% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ames
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ames the median home value is $277,400, 17% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,023 per month, which is 30.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,747 a month in housing costs.
Ames median household income
The median household income in Ames is $60,991 and the income per person is $34,343. 25.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Ames: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 28,041
- Owner-occupied
- 42.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.9%
- Vacant
- 8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1992
- Average household size
- 2.14
Ames demographics
- Population
- 67,669
- Median age
- 23.3
- Under 18
- 11.2%
- 65 and older
- 11.1%
- Households
- 25,785
- Foreign-born
- 11.6%
- Veterans
- 3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ames ›
Education in Ames
65.8% of adults 25 and older in Ames have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 31.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ames
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 12.1%
- Drive alone
- 62.5%
- Public transit
- 5.5%
- Walk to work
- 10.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 74.2%
Ames vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 67,669 | $60,991 | $277,400 | $1,023 |
| Kelley | 382 | $111,250 | $220,800 | $966 |
| Gilbert | 1,381 | $122,656 | $274,600 | $865 |
| Nevada | 6,983 | $75,094 | $182,400 | $953 |
| Huxley | 4,544 | $112,094 | $297,100 | $1,393 |
| Cambridge | 803 | $57,333 | $178,100 | $1,043 |
| Slater | 1,401 | $97,500 | $232,800 | $895 |
| Luther | 159 | $100,938 | $191,700 | — |
| Story City | 3,398 | $96,605 | $215,600 | $999 |
More for people moving to Ames
Ames ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ames: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ames, IA?
The median household income in Ames is $60,991, 19% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ames?
The median home value in Ames is $277,400, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Ames?
The median gross rent in Ames is $1,023 per month, about 30.1% of household income.
Is Ames, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Iowa median; home values 33% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
What is the median age in Ames?
The median age in Ames is 23.3 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Ames?
The average commute to work in Ames is 16 minutes; 12.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ames?
The unemployment rate in Ames is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ames?
65.8% of adults in Ames have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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