Ames, IA vs Coralville, IA

Ames, IA and Coralville, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Ames scores 85 while Coralville scores 87 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ames is $1,040/month compared to $1,021/month in Coralville — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Coralville has cheaper rent, Ames actually has lower median home values ($263,800 vs $286,000).

Median household income in Ames is $60,102 compared to $66,508 in Coralville (-9.6%). While Coralville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ames spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Coralville.