City Comparison
Ames vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ames is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
25% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Ames | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,400 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $160 | $236 | -32% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $2,406 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ames is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Ames | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ames runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ames comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ames sees 28.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Ames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ames | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ames has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ames | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ames
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in the United States per FBI crime data.
Home to Iowa State University, providing world-class cultural events, Division I athletics, and continuing education.
Extensive network of parks, natural areas, and over 55 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Strong local economy anchored by education, biotech research, and healthcare with steady job growth.
Highly rated public school district with excellent graduation rates and student resources.
Drawbacks
Rental market can be competitive and subject to price surges driven by the academic calendar.
Winters bring harsh temperatures and significant snowfall requiring robust municipal snow removal.
Local sales and property taxes in Iowa can feel relatively high compared to some neighboring states.
Public transportation options outside of the core CyRide routes are somewhat limited.
Proximity to a major airport requires a 40-minute drive to Des Moines International.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ames
#100Iowa, USA
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
74
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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