City Comparison
Ames vs Fort Dodge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Fort Dodge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Dodge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Ames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
24% higher than Fort Dodge's.
| Metric | Ames | Fort Dodge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $850 | +24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $160 | $170 | -6% |
| Transport | $100 | $110 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $1,700 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ames offers 17% higher 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 $42,000 in Fort Dodge.
| Metric | Ames | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 63,415 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Dodge sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 50.20°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 12.80°F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | 37.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Fort Dodge.
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 | Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 24,869 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Fort Dodge
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Strong regional healthcare presence anchored by UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
Active local arts scene highlighted by the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Drawbacks
Cold winter climates with significant snowfall can pose challenges for daily travel and outdoor activities.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Slower population growth compared to larger metropolitan areas in Iowa like Des Moines.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions within the immediate city limits.
Nightlife and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger urban centers.
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
Fort Dodge
#261Iowa, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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