City Comparison
Ames vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ames is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
26% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Ames | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,412 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $281 | -43% |
| Transport | $100 | $126 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $2,404 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ames offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ames delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ames is estimated at
$52,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Ames | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Ames 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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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