Ames

Ames, Iowa Overview

Ames scores 57.6/100 overall (B+), ranking #8 of 20 cities in Iowa — below the state composite of 69.5. Safety is the city’s relative strength at 86/100, while Fiscal Health lags at 18/100.

Income & Employment in Ames

Ames’s median income of $58,693 is 19% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.9% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%.

Safety in Ames

At 172.7 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Ames sits meaningfully below the Iowa average of 295 — a 71% lower gap. The property crime rate is 1390.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Ames

Ames has a cost of living index of 91.4 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $263,800. Median monthly rent is $1,040. Renters spend 21.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Ames

The adult obesity rate in Ames is 31.1% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 6.4%. Residents report an average of 20.1 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Iowa ranks #22 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Ames

Ames’s high school graduation rate of 93% is well above average, reflecting strong local school performance. The student-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. Per-pupil spending is $13,278. The city has 8 public schools serving 4,701 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Ames

The annual average temperature in Ames is 52.2°F. Summers average 73.7°F. Winters average 29.6°F. Annual precipitation is 30.2 inches. The average commute of 14.2 minutes is notably short.

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