Cost of living in Ames

In Ames, United States, a single person typically needs around $1650 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $4561 monthly.

How expensive is Ames compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Ames is 15% more expensive overall.

How does Ames compare to your city?

Ames is 50% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Ames is, on average, 64% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Ames?

Who is Ames a good fit for?

Ames tends to fit higher-income residents who can comfortably absorb housing costs. It can be challenging on a moderate budget, mainly due to rent and utilities.

FAQ

Why is Ames so expensive?

The primary driver of expense in Ames is the high cost of rent and utilities, which significantly impacts overall living expenses.

Is food expensive in Ames?

Yes, food costs in Ames are 15% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall expense.

Is public transport affordable in Ames?

Public transport in Ames is quite affordable, being 43% lower than the European benchmark, making it accessible for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1650 $
Without Rent
717 $
Rent & Utilities
933 $
Food
548 $
Transport
43 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3729 $
GDP per Capita
81,695 $
Freedom Index
8.39
Lifespan
77 years
Speak English
96%
Population
66.4K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 14 $
Dinner 44.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 8.94 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.05 $
Capuccino 5.01 $
Coke, 330ml 1.97 $

Compare Ames with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.96 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.64 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.45 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.33 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.77 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.5 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.89 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.17 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.4 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.17 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 3.84 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 3.45 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.31 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.27 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.5 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.74 $
Cigarette pack 8.92 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 1 $
Monthly Pass 35.3 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 0.85 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 110 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.36 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.72 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.17 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.99 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 124 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 192 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 73.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 710 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,548 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 834 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,234 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,422 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,139 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,729 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.00%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 50.2 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.05 $
Haircut 14.1 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 60.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 41.1 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,441 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 29,791 $

Compare Ames with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Ames vs George Town (George Town is 121% more expensive)
Bahamas
Ames vs Nassau (Nassau is 67% more expensive) Ames vs Freeport (Freeport is 33% more expensive)
Vanuatu
Ames vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 42% more expensive) Ames vs Luganville (Luganville is 85% more expensive)
United States
Ames vs New York City (New York City is 146% more expensive) Ames vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 93% more expensive) Ames vs Chicago (Chicago is 62% more expensive) Ames vs Houston (Houston is 36% more expensive) Ames vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 44% more expensive) Ames vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 54% more expensive) Ames vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 33% more expensive) Ames vs San Diego (San Diego is 103% more expensive) Ames vs Dallas (Dallas is 55% more expensive) Ames vs San Jose (San Jose is 123% more expensive)
Canada
Ames vs Toronto (Toronto is 56% more expensive) Ames vs Montreal (Montreal is 18% more expensive) Ames vs Calgary (Calgary is 30% more expensive) Ames vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 36% more expensive) Ames vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 8% more expensive) Ames vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 6% more expensive) Ames vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 50% more expensive) Ames vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 61% more expensive) Ames vs Brampton (Brampton is 29% more expensive) Ames vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 31% more expensive)
Barbados
Ames vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 18% less expensive) Ames vs Holetown (Holetown is 16% less expensive)
Panama
Ames vs Panama City (Panama City is 16% less expensive) Ames vs Colon (Colon is 28% less expensive) Ames vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 25% less expensive) Ames vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 36% less expensive) Ames vs David (David is 50% less expensive) Ames vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 42% less expensive) Ames vs Balboa (Balboa is 24% less expensive) Ames vs Pacora (Pacora is 24% less expensive) Ames vs Chitre (Chitre is 34% less expensive) Ames vs Penonome (Penonome is 33% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Ames vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 25% less expensive) Ames vs Cayon (Cayon is 25% less expensive)
Cuba
Ames vs Havana (Havana is 38% less expensive) Ames vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 14% less expensive) Ames vs Holguin (Holguin is 22% less expensive) Ames vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 8% less expensive) Ames vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 36% less expensive) Ames vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 29% less expensive) Ames vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 6% less expensive) Ames vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 6% less expensive) Ames vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 34% less expensive) Ames vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 47% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Ames vs San Jose (San Jose is 25% less expensive) Ames vs Limon (Limon is 27% less expensive) Ames vs Liberia (Liberia is 46% less expensive) Ames vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 25% less expensive) Ames vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 23% less expensive) Ames vs Cartago (Cartago is 42% less expensive) Ames vs Heredia (Heredia is 24% less expensive) Ames vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 2% more expensive) Ames vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 21% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Ames vs Castries (Castries is 30% less expensive) Ames vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 28% less expensive)
Jamaica
Ames vs Kingston (Kingston is 20% less expensive) Ames vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 53% less expensive) Ames vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 38% less expensive) Ames vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 29% less expensive) Ames vs May Pen (May Pen is 50% less expensive) Ames vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 41% less expensive) Ames vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 49% less expensive) Ames vs Linstead (Linstead is 37% less expensive) Ames vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 32% less expensive) Ames vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 31% less expensive)
El Salvador
Ames vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 28% less expensive) Ames vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 57% less expensive) Ames vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 29% less expensive) Ames vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 34% less expensive) Ames vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 30% less expensive) Ames vs Apopa (Apopa is 31% less expensive) Ames vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 27% less expensive) Ames vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 12% less expensive) Ames vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 34% less expensive) Ames vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 47% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Ames vs St. John's (St. John's is 34% less expensive) Ames vs All Saints (All Saints is 34% less expensive)
Grenada
Ames vs St. George's (St. George's is 35% less expensive) Ames vs Grenville (Grenville is 36% less expensive)
Dominica
Ames vs Roseau (Roseau is 39% less expensive) Ames vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 31% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Ames vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 41% less expensive) Ames vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 39% less expensive)
Belize
Ames vs Belize City (Belize City is 47% less expensive) Ames vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 34% less expensive) Ames vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 56% less expensive) Ames vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 19% less expensive) Ames vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 5% less expensive)
Guatemala
Ames vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 39% less expensive) Ames vs Mixco (Mixco is 61% less expensive) Ames vs Coban (Coban is 45% less expensive) Ames vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 53% less expensive) Ames vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 45% less expensive) Ames vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 45% less expensive) Ames vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 47% less expensive) Ames vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 47% less expensive) Ames vs Flores (Flores is 48% less expensive) Ames vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 52% less expensive)
Honduras
Ames vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 50% less expensive) Ames vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 37% less expensive) Ames vs Choloma (Choloma is 64% less expensive) Ames vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 61% less expensive) Ames vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 46% less expensive) Ames vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 48% less expensive) Ames vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 57% less expensive) Ames vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 56% less expensive) Ames vs Yoro (Yoro is 56% less expensive) Ames vs La Lima (La Lima is 47% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Ames vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 52% less expensive) Ames vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 37% less expensive) Ames vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 54% less expensive) Ames vs Higuey (Higuey is 53% less expensive) Ames vs La Vega (La Vega is 65% less expensive) Ames vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 50% less expensive) Ames vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 56% less expensive) Ames vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 68% less expensive) Ames vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 62% less expensive) Ames vs Bonao (Bonao is 67% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Ames vs Managua (Managua is 53% less expensive) Ames vs Leon (Leon is 61% less expensive) Ames vs Masaya (Masaya is 57% less expensive) Ames vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 67% less expensive) Ames vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 61% less expensive) Ames vs Esteli (Esteli is 64% less expensive) Ames vs Granada (Granada is 58% less expensive) Ames vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 72% less expensive) Ames vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 60% less expensive) Ames vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 46% less expensive)