Ames, IA vs Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs is moderately more affordable than Ames, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Ames scores 85 compared to 76 for Council Bluffs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ames can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ames is $1,040/month compared to $980/month in Council Bluffs — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Council Bluffs is more affordable at $164,300 median vs $263,800.

Median household income in Ames is $60,102 compared to $64,092 in Council Bluffs (-6.2%). Council Bluffs offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ames spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Council Bluffs.