Cost of Living in Ames, IA
Updated November 2026 · Story County · Ames, IA metro area · population 67,669
Prices in Ames are 10.9% below the US average (local index 89.1; the BEA index for the Ames, IA metro area is 88.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 70.7; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,372 a month and the median rent is $1,023.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Ames's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Ames, IA metro area, unchanged.
Ames price index by category, US average = 100: All items 89.1, Housing (rents) 70.7, Goods 93.7, Utilities 83.0, Other services 92.9
It is the 8th most expensive of the 12 Iowa cities in our data. Cheaper than 96% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.9 | 93.1 | 91.5 | 88.4 | 91.5 | 88.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Ames, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $836 | $10,032 | 35% |
| Utilities | $214 | $2,568 | 9% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 11% |
| Transportation | $575 | $6,900 | 24% |
| Health care | $327 | $3,924 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $156 | $1,872 | 7% |
| Total | $2,372 | $28,464 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Ames, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $929 | $11,148 | 24% |
| Utilities | $341 | $4,092 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,136 | $13,632 | 30% |
| Health care | $605 | $7,260 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $308 | $3,696 | 8% |
| Total | $3,807 | $45,684 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Ames, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,208 | $14,496 | 25% |
| Utilities | $415 | $4,980 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,514 | $18,168 | 32% |
| Health care | $564 | $6,768 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $397 | $4,764 | 8% |
| Total | $4,794 | $57,528 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Ames
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $842 |
| 1 bedroom | $927 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,339 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,455 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,023 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $923 |
| Median home value | $277,400 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,747/mo |
| Median household income | $60,991 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 30.1% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Iowa
17.06¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +10.2% (from 15.48¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 848 kWh a month in Iowa ≈ $120/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Iowa is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Ames are 10.9% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $67,300 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 89.1. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | 94.0 | $2,502 | $1,319 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | 90.9 | $2,316 | $1,090 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | 92.9 | $2,633 | $1,237 |
| Waterloo, IA | 73 mi | 86.8 | $2,049 | $923 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | 89.6 | $2,170 | $967 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton, OH | 89.1 | $2,104 | $850 |
| Lafayette, LA | 89.1 | $2,301 | $1,100 |
| McAllen, TX | 89.1 | $2,176 | $1,049 |
| Tulsa, OK | 89.2 | $2,275 | $1,052 |
| Kingsport, TN | 89.2 | $2,061 | $907 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 89.2 | $2,125 | $922 |
Compare Ames with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Ames, IA an expensive place to live?
Ames has a local cost of living index of 89.1, which is 10.9% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Ames, IA metro area (88.8) and adjusts housing to Ames's own rents. It is 1.4 points above the Iowa average. It is the 8th most expensive of the 12 Iowa cities in our data. Cheaper than 96% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Ames?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,372 for a single adult, $3,807 for a couple and $4,794 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $53,500 in Ames.
What is the average rent in Ames?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,023 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $927, 2 bedrooms $1,030, 3 bedrooms $1,339. The typical renter spends 30.1% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Ames?
The median owner-estimated home value is $277,400, 4.5 times the median household income of $60,991 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,747 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Ames?
Iowa residential electricity averaged 17.06¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Ames, IA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 88.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 1901855 (Ames city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Iowa residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources