City Comparison
Ames vs Mason City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Mason City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Ames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
24% higher than Mason City's.
| Metric | Ames | Mason City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $850 | +24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $160 | $160 | 0% |
| Transport | $100 | $100 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $1,670 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ames offers 15% 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 Mason City.
| Metric | Ames | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $53,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 64,634 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 11.30°F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | 40.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | 31.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 252 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Mason 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 | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 27,338 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
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
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
65
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