salaryRent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.6 minutes. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 65.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,320 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 46 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ames?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ames
| Size | Ames | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $931 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,025 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,139 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,481 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,609 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ames overall?
Everyday prices in the Ames metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ames
Life in Ames
What jobs pay in Ames
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | 9.3% |
| Software Developer | $129,440 | 10.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | 10.2% |
| Lawyer | $125,200 | 10.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,200 | 13.0% |
| Operations Manager | $97,700 | 13.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,920 | 13.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | 14.6% |
| Firefighter | $86,010 | 15.1% |
| Accountant | $79,320 | 16.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | 16.8% |
| Police Officer | $73,840 | 17.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,610 | 19.8% |
| Plumber | $63,820 | 20.4% |
| Electrician | $63,320 | 20.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,430 | 20.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,100 | 21.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,430 | 21.5% |
| Carpenter | $55,640 | 23.4% |
| Truck Driver | $54,510 | 23.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,810 | 28.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,540 | 29.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,820 | 30.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,280 | 32.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,410 | 35.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,460 | 40.0% |
| Cashier | $29,230 | 44.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,710 | 57.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ames?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $842 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $277,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,740 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ames, IA?
Renting in Ames costs a median of about $1,083 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Ames?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,320 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ames cheap or expensive?
Ames is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.8% of the typical household income of $65,779. It ranks 46th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ames?
The median homeowner in Ames pays $3,850 a year in property taxes, about 1.39% of the median home value.
Is Ames more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ames?
The median home value in Ames is $277,400, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
67,669 people live in Ames. Numbers are typical (middle) values.