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Rental Market Trends in Ames, IA

What is the average rent in Ames, IA?

$913/month

Average Rent

619 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+2.4%

Increase in the Last Year

As of March 2026, the average rent in Ames, IA is $913 per month. This is 44% lower than the national average rent of $1,627/month, making renting in Ames more affordable than most cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Ames, you can expect to pay about $768 per month for a studio, $913 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $1,073 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $1,364 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$768/month
402 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$913/month
619 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,073/month
899 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,364/month
1,125 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$998/month
951 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,476/month
1,053 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$2,260/month
1,785 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,051/month
760 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,432/month
1,332 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$1,916/month
1,676 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Ames, IA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 2.4%, which averages out to $22 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated March 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in Ames, IA
Last Updated March 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Ames, IA
Percentage*
Rent Range
7% Below $700/month
47% $700 - $1,000/month
34% $1,001 - $1,500/month
8% $1,501 - $2,000/month
4% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Ames?

Based on current rent prices, North Ames, East Ames and West Ames are the most affordable neighborhoods in Ames.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
North Ames
$899/month
728 Sq Ft
East Ames
$955/month
628 Sq Ft
West Ames
$966/month
650 Sq Ft
Fountainview Condominiums
$1,028/month
643 Sq Ft
South Ames
$1,036/month
641 Sq Ft
Campustown
$1,045/month
519 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Ames?

Based on current rent prices, Campustown, South Ames and Fountainview Condominiums are the most expensive neighborhoods in Ames.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Campustown
$1,045/month
519 Sq Ft
South Ames
$1,036/month
641 Sq Ft
Fountainview Condominiums
$1,028/month
643 Sq Ft
West Ames
$966/month
650 Sq Ft
East Ames
$955/month
628 Sq Ft
North Ames
$899/month
728 Sq Ft

Which Ames neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Ames with the most apartments available are West Ames, South Ames and East Ames .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
West Ames
$966/month
650 Sq Ft
South Ames
$1,036/month
641 Sq Ft
East Ames
$955/month
628 Sq Ft
Campustown
$1,045/month
519 Sq Ft
North Ames
$899/month
728 Sq Ft
Fountainview Condominiums
$1,028/month
643 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Ames, IA?

Because the average rent in Ames is $913, you’ll want to make about $3,043 per month or $36,516 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

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 $768 - $1,364. You can expect to pay 3.8% less for groceries, 5.1% less for utilities, and 2.2% less for transportation.

City

Ames, IA

1,236 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Ames, IA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Ames, IA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for Ames, IA

Apartment Averages

North Ames

Ames, IA

Campustown

Ames, IA

Studio
$693/month
$812/month
One Bedroom
$839/month
$1,017/month
Two Bedroom
$1,092/month
$1,152/month
Three Bedroom
$1,492/month
$1,398/month
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Nevada Average Rent

Apartment communities in Ames we think you'll love

Point at Ames

Point at Ames

3306 Lincoln Way,
Ames, IA 50014

$680 - $920

2-4 Beds

The Social West Ames®

The Social West Ames®

1320 Coconino Rd,
Ames, IA 50014

$479 - $2,076

1-5 Beds

Campustown | Student Apartments

Campustown | Student Apartments

200 Stanton Ave,
Ames, IA 50014

$544 - $889

1-5 Beds

2700 Lincoln

2700 Lincoln

2700 Lincoln Way,
Ames, IA 50014

$705 - $1,600

Studio - 5 Beds

Property Management Companies in Ames, IA

Hunziker & Associates, Realtors
Hunziker & Associates, Realtors
  • 11

    Communities

  • 1,124

    Units

  • 2

    Cities

10 Communities in Ames
Haverkamp Group
Haverkamp Group
  • 20

    Communities

  • 3,930

    Units

  • 9

    Cities

6 Communities in Ames
Jensen Group
Jensen Group
  • 12

    Communities

  • 3,383

    Units

  • 4

    Cities

6 Communities in Ames
Trinity Property Consultants
Trinity Property Consultants
  • 164

    Communities

  • 42,465

    Units

  • 96

    Cities

2 Communities in Ames
Coastal Ridge Real Estate
Coastal Ridge Real Estate
  • 93

    Communities

  • 21,447

    Units

  • 52

    Cities

2 Communities in Ames
Seldin Company
Seldin Company
  • 71

    Communities

  • 15,592

    Units

  • 33

    Cities

2 Communities in Ames
The Tailwind Group
The Tailwind Group
  • 23

    Communities

  • 6,959

    Units

  • 18

    Cities

2 Communities in Ames
Elmington Capital
Elmington Capital
  • 133

    Communities

  • 21,884

    Units

  • 71

    Cities

1 Community in Ames

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United States Iowa Ames Rental Trends

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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity