City Comparison
Ames vs Ottumwa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ames scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Ottumwa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Ames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ames's average rent is
24% higher than Ottumwa's.
| Metric | Ames | Ottumwa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $850 | +24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $160 | $170 | -6% |
| Transport | $100 | $100 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $1,690 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ames offers 27% 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 Ottumwa.
| Metric | Ames | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ames sees 9.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 53.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 84.00°F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 274 |
| 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 | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| 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 2.6x the population of Ottumwa.
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 | Ottumwa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 25,514 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
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
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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