Town0
- Public SchoolsA+
- Crime & SafetyC+
- HousingB
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesA
- DiversityB
- JobsB+
- WeatherB-
- Cost of LivingB-
- Health & FitnessA-
- Outdoor ActivitiesB
- CommuteA+
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$196,400
National
$184,700Median Rent
$905
National
$949Sponsored Mortgage Options for Ames
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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
C+
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Working in Ames
Jobs
B+
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$46,127
National
$55,322Top Private Schools in Ames
Ames Reviews
329 reviews
All Categories
The University is the main feature of the City of Ames. It is a beautiful campus with a variety of different features and amenities available to the students attending the university, as well as the citizens of the city. Within the city there is an average level of entertainment: two movie theatres, a variety of restaurants to suit your fancy, a mall for shopping, as well as beautiful areas to hike and relax in nature. I think were the city lacks is that it doesn't have more to offer in the terms of shopping, as well as activities that people could enjoy: for example paintball, fire arm ranges, night clubs of a higher caliber than just for college students getting intoxicated. Overall I believe Ames is a great place to live, it may not have everything that I would like, but I love the city for what it is... a place of potential!
Ames is awesome! It partially has a big city feel but also in the more residential part has a very small town feel. There is a lot to do here and if you get bored in Ames, it isn't too far away from Des Moines. The people here are super nice and pretty accepting. I have lived here for only a year and it feels like home already.
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.