Cost of Living: Ames, IA vs West Des Moines, IA
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Ames, IA versus $4,184/mo in West Des Moines, IA. In the model, rent is about 15.15% of gross in Ames, IA versus 17.4% in West Des Moines, IA, so Ames, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Ames, IA and West Des Moines, IA.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): West Des Moines, IA
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Ames, IA
- Lower home prices: Ames, IA
- Higher median household income: West Des Moines, IA
Cost of Living Index
Ames, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · West Des Moines, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100)
Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).
Median Rent
Ames, IA: $988/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · West Des Moines, IA: $1,135/mo
Median rent in West Des Moines, IA is $147/mo higher than in Ames, IA.
Median Home Price
Ames, IA: $263,800 · West Des Moines, IA: $286,300
Median home price in West Des Moines, IA is $22,500 higher than in Ames, IA.
Median Household Income
Ames, IA: $60,102 · West Des Moines, IA: $84,925
West Des Moines, IA has a higher median household income than Ames, IA by $24,823.
Ames, IA overview · West Des Moines, IA overview · Popular comparisons