Town
- Public SchoolsA+
- Crime & SafetyB
- HousingB
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesA+
- DiversityB
- JobsB+
- WeatherB-
- Cost of LivingB
- Health & FitnessB+
- Outdoor ActivitiesB-
- CommuteA+
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$176,500
National
$184,700Median Rent
$835
National
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Ames Rankings
Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
B
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Home Security Options for Ames
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- 24/7 Whole home protection with no contract
- CNET Editor’s choice winner 2018
Residents
Diversity
B
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$41,278
National
$55,322Children
10%
Top Public Schools Serving Ames
- A+
Ames High School
- Ames Community School District, IA
- 9-12
- 301 reviews
- A+
Fellows Elementary School
- Ames Community School District, IA
- K-5
- 2 reviews
- A+
Gilbert Elementary School
- Gilbert Community School District, IA
- PK, K-2
- A+
Gilbert Middle School
- Gilbert Community School District, IA
- 6-8
- 1 review
- A
Gilbert Intermediate School
- Gilbert Community School District, IA
- 3-5
- 4 reviews
Ames Reviews
285 reviews
All Categories
Ames is a great place to live! It has a beautiful college campus and a unique Main Street. It has many parks and is family friendly. The city has great tasting water and was recently awarded best water in Iowa. One thing that I'd like to see change would be the cost of rent. Due to the high demand and student population, rent prices have skyrocketed, making it difficult for students and families to afford housing.
I have been living in Ames for the past five years and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here! When I was in high school I thought that I couldn't wait to leave the state of IA and live somewhere "less boring". After a short time of living in Minneapolis for an internship, I knew that I wanted to settle in Iowa. The pace of life here, the lower cost of living, friendly faces everywhere you go, and small towns are some of my favorite things. One of the nicer things about Ames is that it has the amenities of a city but still has the feel of a small town.
As a 16-year resident of Ames Iowa, I feel deeply connected to this town. Every part of town has its own unique personality that I can appreciate. Ames may not be grand and illustrious, but it's the subtle character that makes Ames what it is. The citizens of Ames appreciate the opportunities they have been given. This is seen through the number of local stores and community projects. When I played with the Central Iowa Symphony, I saw how passionate musicians came together on their own free will to perform great music. People came and equally enthralled with the music as we were. It was at that moment, I realized how the Ames community truly cares for one another. Another asset is Iowa State University. It's rare for a town the size of Ames to have such an amazing university only a few minutes away. However, my only large in Ames issue is the lack of nightlife. Because of this, most people resort to having parties, hanging out at their friends, driving around, or staying home.