Median Age
28 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 34% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
12%
Ames
Ames, IA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$913
Population
61,598
Renter Mix
59% Rent
Come discover why Ames is the smart choice.
University
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College Town
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Employment
•
History
•
Parks
•
Family-Friendly
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Located in central Iowa, Ames combines the energy of a college town with welcoming community spirit. As home to Iowa State University, this city of over 66,000 residents offers educational opportunities alongside comfortable living. The rental market reflects steady growth, with average rents ranging from $756 for studios to $1,792 for four-bedroom units. Campustown pulses with activity near the university, while the Downtown district features local shops and the Octagon Center for the Arts.
Outdoor recreation abounds at Brookside Park and Ada Hayden Heritage Park, where residents enjoy trails and natural wetlands. The city hosts significant research facilities, including the USDA National Animal Disease Center and the Ames Laboratory. The CyRide transit system connects major areas throughout the city, making commuting convenient for residents. Iowa State University Research Park and Reiman Gardens add to the city's appeal, with the gardens providing seasonal botanical displays throughout the year. The city's name honors Oakes Ames, a 19th-century U.S. Congressman who influenced the development of the transcontinental railroad.
Explore the City
Meeker North is close to Downtown Ames.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park is a beautiful place for Ames' residents to get outside.
Campustown is a hub of activity in Ames.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$57,597
Average: $75,652
Education
25,573
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
32,877
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Ames has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
59%
Non-Renters
41%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
35%
Other Education
65%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Ames, IA is $770 for a studio, $914 for one bedroom, $1,077 for two bedrooms, and $1,365 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ames has increased by 2.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$914/month
618 Sq Ft
House
$1,810/month
1,285 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Ames, IA is 5.2% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Ames is 11.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $774 - $1,360. You can expect to pay 3.8% less for groceries, 5.1% less for utilities, and 2.2% less for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Ames, IA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Good Public Transit
Transit
70
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
70
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
528 Students
Public
Grades K-5
351 Students
Kate Mitchell Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
290 Students
Public
Grades K-5
450 Students
Abbie Sawyer Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
367 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,002 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,403 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Reiman Gardens
Military Bases
Airports
- Des Moines International
Top Apartments in Ames
Houses for Rent in Ames
Property Management Companies in Ames, IA
Hunziker & Associates, Realtors
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11
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1,124
Units
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2
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10 Communities in Ames
Haverkamp Group
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20
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3,930
Units
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9
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6 Communities in Ames
Jensen Group
-
12
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3,383
Units
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4
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6 Communities in Ames
Trinity Property Consultants
-
172
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42,974
Units
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98
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2 Communities in Ames
Coastal Ridge Real Estate
-
101
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23,554
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54
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2 Communities in Ames
Seldin Company
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73
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16,166
Units
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35
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2 Communities in Ames
Search Nearby Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.