The Social West Ames®
1320 Coconino Rd,
Ames, IA 50014
1-4 Beds | $469 - $1,278
Rental Market Trends in Ames, IA
Updated July 2026
The average rent in Ames, IA is $882/month.
Rent in Ames is 47% lower than the national average rent of $1,663/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$882/month
Average Rent
610 Sq Ft
Average Size
-2.5%
Change / Year
1,179
Available Apartments
Ames rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Ames average $776 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Ames average $882 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Ames average $1,105 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Ames average $1,371 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Ames, IA?
In the past year, rent has decreased by 2.5%, which averages out to $21 less per month.
Market Trends Over Time
July 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Ames, IA
July 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
6%
Below $700/month
47%
$700 - $1,000/month
36%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
9%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
3%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Ames?
Based on current rent prices, South Ames, West Ames and East Ames are the most affordable neighborhoods in Ames.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Ames?
Based on current rent prices, Campustown, East Ames and West Ames are the most expensive neighborhoods in Ames.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Ames neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Ames with the most apartments available are West Ames, East Ames and South Ames .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Ames, IA?
Because the average rent in Ames is $882, you’ll want to make about $2,940 per month or $35,280 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 5.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Ames is 12.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $776 - $1,371. You can expect to pay 3.6% less for groceries, 4.8% less for utilities, and 3.8% less for transportation.
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.
View the Ames Area GuideStudio
$905/month
$827/month
One Bedroom
$941/month
$961/month
Two Bedroom
$1,281/month
$1,313/month
Three Bedroom
$1,757/month
$1,343/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in Ames We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Ames?
The average rent in Ames is $882 per month, which is 47.0% lower than the national average of $1,663.
What is the average rent for a house in Ames?
The average rent for a house in Ames, IA is $2,146 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Ames?
Rents in Ames, IA are decreasing, with prices down 2.5% year-over-year and $21 less per month.
What rent range is most common in Ames?
In Ames, IA, 47% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 June 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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.