Cost of living in Ames
compared to
Cost of living in Ames vs. United States overall average
Ames is 0.5% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 3.6% less in Ames
- Groceries
-
pay 8.3% more in Ames
- Transportation
-
pay 13.2% less in Ames
- Housing
-
pay 24.1% less in Ames
- Childcare
-
pay 23.4% more in Ames
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 1.9% less in Ames
- Clothing
-
pay 7.4% more in Ames
The cost of childcare, groceries, and clothing in Ames are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing, transportation, restaurants, and entertainment and sports are lower in Ames.
Ames Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $18.00 |
$10.00
-
$30.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.00 |
$6.00
-
$14.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.66 |
$1.99
-
$5.00
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.17 |
$1.50
-
$4.00
|
Ames - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.66 |
$2.19
-
$5.51
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $6.33 |
$4.41
-
$16.53
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.50 |
$2.20
-
$6.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.42 |
$1.99
-
$6.99
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.43 |
$3.00
-
$9.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.55 |
$1.13
-
$4.99
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.77 |
$0.40
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $3.00 |
$0.95
-
$7.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.28 |
$1.00
-
$4.00
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.51 |
$0.60
-
$5.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.87 |
$0.99
-
$4.00
|
Ames - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.19 |
$2.67
-
$4.00
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $47.50 |
$35.00
-
$60.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $25,000.00 |
$25,000.00
-
$37,047.48
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $18.37 |
$17.13
-
$23.67
|
Ames - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.36 |
$45.00
-
$200.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $975.00 |
$800.00
-
$1,200.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $825.00 |
$600.00
-
$1,000.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$131.42 |
$61.18
-
$260.00
|
Ames - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,833.33 |
$1,200.00
-
$2,400.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $26,555.00 |
$21,475.00
-
$36,000.00
|
Ames - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $3.50 |
$3.00
-
$8.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.00 |
$3.00
-
$8.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.99 |
$8.99
-
$15.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $68.33 |
$35.00
-
$120.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.00 |
$7.99
-
$18.00
|
Ames - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$58.55 |
$16.00
-
$90.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$46.87 |
$25.00
-
$80.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$89.10 |
$50.00
-
$115.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $113.12 |
$65.00
-
$150.00
|
Ames - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Iowa
to see the average cost of cities throughout Iowa, like
Davenport,
Lake View,
Sioux City,
Muscatine,
Ottumwa,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Ames.
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