Ames, Iowa
Among the top 21% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 14% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 25% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 62% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 79% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 18% of US places
- top 3% for commute time
- bottom 3% for monthly owner costs
Ames is a mid-size city in Iowa with about 66,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, school quality, and walkability. It rates lower on broadband access and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Ames is $248k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Ames is $57k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Ames is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Ames has a violent crime rate of 717/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Ames is 16 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
68%48%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.9 in1.3 in
humid 96%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$57k41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 53% of US places
Home Value$248k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 40% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$11kbetter than 3% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.51%better than 25% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden14.81%better than 18% of US places
Unemployment7.1%better than 25% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F34th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation38.5 in39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall27.3 inbetter than 37% of US places
Sunny Days194 daysbetter than 18% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 41% of US places
Comfortable Days90 daysbetter than 70% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk43.9better than 78% of US places
Air Quality49 AQIbetter than 34% of US places
School Quality86.7better than 80% of US places
Violent Crime717/100kbetter than 51% of US places
Property Crime1289/100kbetter than 37% of US places
Community
Population66,26598th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age23.03rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3569th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.1679th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1815th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)78.3%39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.2%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.9%52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)10.1%96th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.5%67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time16 minbetter than 97% of US places
Walkability8.6/20better than 79% of US places
Airport Distance128 mibetter than 25% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access71.3%better than 15% of US places
Amenities Nearby29.73better than 28% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 53% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ames an affordable place to live?
- Ames is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 53% of comparable areas. Median rent is $1k.
- Is Ames safe?
- Ames is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 717/100k (better than 51%). Property crime is 1289/100k.
- What is the weather like in Ames?
- Ames averages 74°F in July and 20°F in January, with 38.5 in of annual precipitation and about 194 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Ames?
- Public-school quality in Ames is above average, scoring better than 80% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Ames?
- The average one-way commute in Ames is 16 min.