City Comparison
Ames vs Marion
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Marion
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ames is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Marion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
16% lower than Marion's.
| Metric | Ames | Marion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,250 | -16% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $100 | $115 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $2,150 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marion offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marion delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ames is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Marion.
| Metric | Ames | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 73,118 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $84,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Marion comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ames sees 4.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 14.40°F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | 35.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | 24.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Marion.
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 | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Marion.
From a growth perspective, Marion 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 | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 42,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Marion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional public school performance across the Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Community School Districts.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety rankings relative to national standards.
Robust local economy anchored by the Cedar Rapids metropolitan employment and industrial base.
Extensive park system and growing recreational trail network, including the CeMar Trail connection.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Iowa state property tax rates can be relatively high for homeowners compared to other states.
Winter weather conditions bring cold temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 24 inches annually.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition during peak spring and summer markets.
Limited late-night entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan 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
Marion
#21Iowa, USA
73.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
75
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