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?
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.
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
Highest-paying jobs in Ames, IA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
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.
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.
All salaries in Ames, IA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $97,700
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,320
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,510
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $129,440
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $62,430
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $30,420
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $77,160
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $43,540
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,660
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $39,710
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,410
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,220
- Waiter and Waitress — $22,710
- Bartender — $21,580
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $68,680
- Retail Salesperson — $32,460
- Cashier — $29,230
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $48,740
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $47,970
- Office Clerks, General — $45,450
- Customer Service Representative — $42,820
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- Construction Laborer — $49,810
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $54,770
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $49,360
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $54,510
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,280
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,240