Cost of living in Ames
Ames, located in the heart of Iowa, is known for its vibrant community and as the home of Iowa State University. Understanding the cost of living in Ames is crucial for students, families, and professionals considering a move to this city.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Ames, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $14 on average, with a range between $10 and $35.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $45, with prices ranging from $40 to $150.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9, with a range between $6 and $13.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $5 to $8, imported beer $6 to $10, cappuccino $3.5 to $10, and Coke/Pepsi $1.99 to $5.
Grocery Prices
- MilkMilk is priced between $0.58 and $1.32 per liter, averaging $0.94.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.2 and $5.51, with an average price of $3.31.
- Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $1.69 to $5, averaging $3.13.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $2.5 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $2.09 to $14.75 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $1.52 and $11.02 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.69 to $4 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs $1, with a monthly pass priced at $35.
- Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $0.75 and $1 per liter.
- Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $4.7, with a cost of $1.55 to $1.71 per km and $24 to $50 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $800 to $1200, averaging $1000.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $750 to $1000, averaging $900.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1900 to $2800, averaging $2212.5.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1500 to $2000, averaging $1800.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $2142 to $2690.98, averaging $2416.49.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $2142 to $2152.78, averaging $2147.39.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $340, averaging $164.52.
- InternetInternet services range from $50 to $200, with an average cost of $64.83.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 15 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$14.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$45.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.00
Markets
Markets
Avg
Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.94
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.31
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.13
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.60
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.98
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$13.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$8.99
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.23
Apples (1kg)
$5.42
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41
Potato (1kg)
$2.60
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.39
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.45
Tomato (1kg)
$4.35
Banana (1kg)
$2.04
Onion (1kg)
$3.10
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$16.71
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$35.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$32,946.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.70
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.71
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,311.76
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$900.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,212.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,800.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$164.52
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$64.83
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$52.65
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$85.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$0.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.50
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Avg
Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$81.33
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$96.33
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Avg
Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$2,416.49
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$2,147.39
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,695.83
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.29%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,633.33
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$27,305.00
Worldwide
United States
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings
