Cost of Living in Ames, IA
Ames, IA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Ames, IA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Ames, IA?
With a price level of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), Ames, IA is one of the most affordable places in the country. In detail, housing costs are 31% below average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 17% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 7% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Ames, IA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.8 | −11.2% |
| Housing | 69.2 | −30.8% |
| Goods | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| Utilities | 83.0 | −17.0% |
| Other services | 92.9 | −7.1% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Ames, IA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $932 | $37,280/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $975 | $39,000/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,126 | $45,040/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,564 | $62,560/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,841 | $73,640/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Ames, IA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Ames, IA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $35,500 | $30,007 |
| $60,000 | $53,300 | $43,633 |
| $80,000 | $71,100 | $56,799 |
| $100,000 | $88,800 | $68,578 |
| $150,000 | $133,200 | $97,898 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Iowa 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Ames, IA's median wage of $50,220 takes home about $3,440 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $975, which is 28% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,465 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Ames, IA
- Federal income tax$3,846
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,114
- Medicare (1.45%)$728
- Iowa income tax$1,257
- Take-home pay$41,275
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Pay and living costs in Iowa cities
Half of Iowa’s 1,559,240 workers earn less than $48,540 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,570–$70,290 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Ames, IA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Omaha, NE is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | $49,660 | 91.9 | $1,144 | 34% | $2,260 | $44,441 |
| Des Moines, IA | $51,820 | 91.7 | $1,092 | 31% | $2,450 | $46,346 |
| Davenport, IA | $48,550 | 89.1 | $928 | 28% | $2,405 | $44,900 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,360 | 89.0 | $800 | 24% | $2,585 | $45,656 |
| Iowa City, IA | $50,060 | 91.5 | $932 | 27% | $2,497 | $44,971 |
| Waterloo, IA | $47,430 | 87.1 | $793 | 24% | $2,469 | $44,958 |
| Sioux City, IA | $47,030 | 86.5 | $925 | 29% | $2,311 | $44,918 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,750 | 87.3 | $841 | 25% | $2,505 | $45,976 |
| Ames, IA | $50,220 | 88.8 | $975 | 28% | $2,465 | $46,465 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Ames, IA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 88.8 | $975 | $50,220 | 55,890 |
| Jackson, MI | 91.8 | $946 | $47,760 | 55,930 |
| Florence, AL | 84.8 | $775 | $39,740 | 56,100 |
| Mankato, MN | 91.0 | $977 | $49,530 | 56,180 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 89.5 | $925 | $43,210 | 55,550 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 94.1 | $1,060 | $44,230 | 56,490 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 95.1 | $1,281 | $51,860 | 56,810 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ames, IA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Ames, IA metro area are 88.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 69.2%. It is the #316 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Ames, IA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $53,298 in Ames, IA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $50,220.
Can you afford Ames, IA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $50,220 median wage takes home about $3,440 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $975 would take 28% of that.
How much is rent in Ames, IA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Ames, IA are $932 for a studio, $975 for one bedroom, $1,126 for two bedrooms and $1,564 for three bedrooms, including utilities.