Ames, IA vs Des Moines, IA

Des Moines is moderately more affordable than Ames, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Ames scores 85 compared to 79 for Des Moines, 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 $1,054/month in Des Moines — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ames has cheaper rent, Des Moines actually has lower median home values ($183,700 vs $263,800).

Median household income in Ames is $60,102 compared to $63,966 in Des Moines (-6%). Des Moines 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 19.8% in Des Moines.