Livability Score

91
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (28) B
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Vinyl Cafe
Coffee Shop
Cafe Diem
Coffee Shop
Morning Bell Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Global Cafe
Coffee Shop
Business Cafe
Coffee Shop
Scooter's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Courtyard Cafe
Coffee Shop
MU Market & Café
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
The Roasterie
Coffee Shop
Bookends Cafe
Coffee Shop
Clouds
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Tea Time
Coffee Shop
Cafe Beaudelaire
Coffee Shop
Stomping Grounds Cafe
Coffee Shop
ABE Harvest Cafe
Coffee Shop
Design Cafe
Coffee Shop
Whirlybird's
Coffee Shop
Gentle Doctor Cafe
Coffee Shop
Big Açaí Bowls
Coffee Shop
Scooter's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Bergie's Espresso Cafe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (17) A+
Ames City Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Brunnier Art Museum
Museum
Fisher Theater
Theatre Arts
Stephens Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Donald and Ruth Furman Aquatic Center
Water Park
Octagon Center for the Arts
Art Gallery
Ames History Museum
Museum
Farm House Museum
Museum
Dangerous Curves
Nightclub
Lush Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Jack Trice Stadium
Stadium
Cinemark Movies 12
Cinema
Elwood the Gnome
Attraction
North Grand Cinema
Cinema
Acorn Music Hall
Theatre Arts
Food and Drink (82) A+
Humble Donuts
Fast Food
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
Sweets
Culver's
Fast Food
Little Caesars
Fast Food
Jersey Mike's Subs
Fast Food
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Fast Food
Taco John's
Fast Food
Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits
Alcohol
Cyclone Liquors
Alcohol
DQ Grill & Chill
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Chocolaterie Stam
Sweets
Time Out
Bar
Marmalade Moon
Sweets
London Underground
Bar
Whiskey River
Bar
Kwik Stop
Alcohol
Sportsman Lounge
Bar
The Angry Irishmen
Bar
Papa Murphy's
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Lance and Ellie's
Fast Food
Panera Bread
Fast Food
Fitness (4) F
Lighthouse Campus Fellowship
Community Centre
The Point at Ames
Community Centre
Ames Racquet and Fitness Center
Gym
Ames Fitness Center- South
Gym
Groceries (17) A+
Wheatsfield Cooperative
Grocery Store
Asia Foods Store
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Fareway
Grocery Store
Great Harvest Bakery and Café
Bakery
Inspire Nutrition
Health Food
Dutch Oven Bakery
Bakery
WG Provisions Fulfillment
Butcher
ALDI
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Pammel Grocery
Grocery Store
Uni Mart
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Fareway
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Ames Asian Market West
Grocery Store
Fareway
Grocery Store
Parks (134) A+
Brookside Park
Park
Ames Veterans Memorial
Park
Roosevelt Park
Park
O'Neil Park
Park
Stuart Smith Park
Park
Tom Evans Park
Park
Richardson Court Park
Park
Ioway Creek Park
Park
Old Town Park
Park
Greek Triangle
Park
Bandshell Park
Park
Central Campus
Park
Anderson Sculpture Garden
Park
Duff Park
Park
Greenbriar Park
Park
Moore Park
Park
Campustown Court
Park
Seating Area
Park
Carr Park
Park
ISU Arboretum
Park
The Crescent Lawn
Park
North River Valley Park
Park
Emma McCarthy Lee Park Access
Park
Gateway Park
Park
Mushroom Cove
Playground
Shops (117) A+
Creative Hair Designers
Hairdresser
Pro Nails
Beauty
The Groom Room Men's Hair Co.
Hairdresser
Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry
Fashion
Pure Luxe Salon and Spa
Hairdresser
East Side Market
Convenience Store
Miss Meyer’s Clothing Consignment
Clothing
Le's Nail Salon
Beauty
SJB Hair Studio
Hairdresser
Great Clips
Hairdresser
His & Hers
Hairdresser
Essence of Natural Beauty Supply Store
Beauty
Casey's General Store
Convenience Store
Everts Flowers Home Gifts
Gift Shop
Main Street Magic, Miniatures, and More
Department Store
American Country Home Store
Furniture
Turning Heads Salon
Hairdresser
The Salon In Ames
Hairdresser
Acorn Antiques and Consignments
Furniture
Tres Teal
Clothing
Cooks' Emporium
Houseware
Lindsey Loo's
Gift Shop
The Diva Inside
Clothing
Valor & Violet Salon
Hairdresser
Nook & Nest
Interior Decoration
See more Ames amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 7.9% take public transportation in Ames.
Public Transit Stops (332)
Stops & Stations A+
6th Street at Brookridge Avenue Eastbound
Bus Stop
6th Street at Brookside Park Eastbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at Hazel Avenue Westbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Avenue at Russell Avenue Westbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at South Russell Avenue Eastbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at South Hazel Avenue Eastbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at Maple Avenue Westbound
Bus Stop
Northwestern Avenue at 6th Street Eastbound
Bus Stop
Northwestern Avenue at 5th Street Westbound
Bus Stop
6th Street at CyRide
Bus Stop
Iowa Department of Transportation Westbound
Bus Stop
Iowa Department of Transportation
Bus Stop
Allan Drive at Grand Avenue
Bus Stop
5th Street at Pearle Avenue
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at Hilton Coliseum Westbound
Bus Stop
Lincoln Way at Hilton Coliseum Eastbound
Bus Stop
University Boulevard at CyRide Drive
Bus Stop
South 4th Street at South Hazel Avenue
Bus Stop
South 4th Street at Stadium View Apartments
Bus Stop
9th Street at Grand Avenue Westbound
Bus Stop
City Hall Westbound
Bus Stop
City Hall Eastbound
Bus Stop
South 4th Street at South Grand Avenue Westbound
Bus Stop
Lied Recreation
Bus Stop
Clark Avenue at 7th Street Northbound
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
7.9% B
See more Ames commute data

cost of living B+

The cost of living in Ames is 103/100 - which is 15% higher than Iowa.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. C
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax D
See more Ames cost of living data

crime B+

Ames crime rates are 1,500 per 100k, which is 7% lower than Iowa
Property Crime
1,282 crimes per 100k B
Violent Crime
218 crimes per 100k B+
See more Ames crime data

employment C-

The median income in Ames is $50,783 - which is 7% lower than Iowa.
Med. Household Income
$50,783 F
Unemployment Rate
4.6% F
See more Ames employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (30)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Herrick Dental
Dentist
5th Street Dental Office
Dentist
Ames Police Department
Police
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pyfferoen Pediatric Dentistry
Dentist
Ames Fire Department Station 1
Fire Station
Medicap Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Mary Greeley Medical Center
Hospital
Medical Arts Building
Clinic
Doran Clinic for Women
Doctor
Bliss Cancer Center
Clinic
McFarland Clinic
Clinic
Ames Oral Surgeons
Doctor
Ames Fire Department Station 2
Fire Station
Aspen Dental
Dentist
ISU Police
Police
Planned Parenthood - Ames Health Center
Clinic
Thielen Student Health Center
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Ames Fire Department Station 3
Fire Station
Primary Health Care - Ames Medical & Dental
Clinic
Consamus & Hampton Dental Clinic
Dentist
West Ames Eye Center
Doctor
McFarland Clinic West Ames Office
Clinic
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A+
See more Ames health & safety data

housing A+

Ames home prices are $213,500 - which is 61% higher than Iowa
Home Price
$213,500 B+
Home Appreciation Rate
17% A
Home Affordability
4.2x (home price to income ratio) D
See more Ames housing data

schools A+

The Ames graduation rate is 96% - which is 9% higher than Iowa
School Test Scores
72% B
High School Grad. Rates
96% A+
Elementary Schools (8) F
Fellows Elementary School
Ames Christian School
Meeker Elementary School
Northwood Pre-School
Ames Middle School
Edwards Elementary School
Sawyer Elementary School
Mitchell Elementary School
High Schools (1) F
Ames High School
See more Ames education data

ratings A+

Ames has an overall rating of 89% from 21 reviews.
User Reviews (1)
From AreaVibes A+
User Surveys (20)
From AreaVibes A+
See more Ames user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Ames, IA Area Guide

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Ames Area Facts

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Ames Reviews

Write a review about Ames Tell people what you like or don't like about Ames…
Ames: A College Town with a Neighborhood Feel 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 24, 2012) I moved to Ames almost nine years ago to attend Iowa State University (ISU) after growing up near New York City. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine falling in love with this city and staying here past graduation day. As a college town there is a never ending rotation of peo ...Read More ple moving in and out. Ames has such a sense of community and belonging, however, that once my school days at ISU ended, I couldn't bring myself to leave.

The sense of community is so high in Ames, in part, due to the importance of the neighborhoods that make up this unique city. Each neighborhood has a distinct and inviting feel, yet being a part of the Ames community is the glue that holds everyone together. When deciding to move to Ames, it's important to check out each neighborhood and see what each has to offer. There is no doubt the perfect neighborhood will make itself known the moment you reach it.

Since ISU is located in Ames, there are a lot of cultural and educational events and opportunities available year round. Ames is about 30 miles away from our state capital, Des Moines. Please make sure to pronounce it correctly as Da' Moi'n. Nothing screams newbie like pronouncing the ‘s' at the end of Des and Moines, one of the largest cities in our state.

Being that Ames is located in Iowa, the first caucus state, and a college town, it is a hot spot of political action during election years. Every resident can determine how this activity imposes on their day to day life, but any political junkie will find satisfaction living here. It's an interesting and educational look at our political process in action. It is definitely exciting to be in the middle of it during a presidential election year. Read Less
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Ames Awards

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Compare Ames, IA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Ames? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Brookside Park
      Ames Veterans Memorial
      Roosevelt Park
      O'Neil Park
      Stuart Smith Park
      Tom Evans Park
      Richardson Court Park
      Ioway Creek Park

      Entertainment

      Ames City Auditorium
      Brunnier Art Museum
      Fisher Theater
      Stephens Auditorium
      Donald and Ruth Furman Aquatic Center
      Octagon Center for the Arts
      Ames History Museum
      Farm House Museum

      Food & Drink

      Humble Donuts
      Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
      Culver's
      Little Caesars
      Jersey Mike's Subs
      Tropical Smoothie Cafe
      Taco John's
      Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Ames? Of all people who commute, 7.9% take public transportation in Ames.
      Drive to Work
      66%

      11% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      8%

      3% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      9%

      6% higher than the US average

      B+ Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Ames? The cost of living in Ames is 103/100 - which is 15% higher than Iowa.
      Ames
      103

      3% more expensive than average

      Iowa
      90

      10% less expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      B+ Crime

      What is the crime rate in Ames? Ames crime rates are 1,500, which are 7% lower than Iowa
      Total Crime
      1,500 per 100k people

      35% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 67

      35% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      1%

      Year over year crime is up

      C- Employment

      What is the median income in Ames? The median income in Ames is $50,783 which is 7% lower than Iowa.
      Median household income
      $50,7838% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $27,4838% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      5%

      equal to the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Ames a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Mary Greeley Medical Center

      Pharmacies

      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Hy-Vee Pharmacy
      Medicap Pharmacy
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      West Ames Eye Center
      Doran Clinic for Women
      Ames Oral Surgeons

      A+ Housing

      What are Ames home prices? Ames home prices are $213,500 - which is 61% higher than Iowa
      Median home value
      $213,50016% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $9441% lower than the US average
      Home Ownership
      41%

      35% lower than the US average

      A+ Schools

      Does Ames have good schools? The Ames graduation rate is 96% - which is 9% higher than Iowa
      High school grad. rates
      96%

      16% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      72%

      50% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      13:1

      16% lower than the US average

      A+ User Ratings

      Is Ames a good place to live? Ames has an overall rating of 89% from 21 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      89%

      21 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      90%

      1 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      86%

      20 total surveys

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