Ames, NY vs Madison, NY

Madison is moderately more affordable than Ames, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Ames scores 87 compared to 81 for Madison, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ames can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Ames are $128,800 compared to $105,800 in Madison, a 22% gap.

Median household income in Ames is $108,125 compared to $43,750 in Madison (+147.1%). While Ames is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 46.7°F). Madison receives more rainfall at 44" per year compared to 40.7" in Ames.