City Comparison
Ames vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ames is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
10% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Ames | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,162 | -10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $100 | $90 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $2,082 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines 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 Des Moines.
| Metric | Ames | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $47,000 |
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 | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
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 | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Ames.
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 | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
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
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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