All Countries
Ames, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Story County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
66,112
Population
2,344/sq mi density
$60,102
Median Income
$33,314 per capita
$263,800
Home Value
$269,519 Zillow
$1,040
Median Rent
31.7% income on rent
50°F
Avg Temperature
260 sunny days/yr
198
Violent Crime/100K
1,716 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$60,102 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$263,800 home value, $1,040/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
198 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
63.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$263,800
6% below
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$1,040/mo
11% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
42.9%
34% below US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
27,356
Median year built: 1991
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$263,800
Zillow (ZHVI)
$269,519
Median Sale Price
$341,000
Median List Price
$324,950
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
42.9%
Owner-Occupied
57.1%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$738/mo
1 Bedroom
$788/mo
2 Bedroom
$989/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,282/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,420/mo
Census median rent:
$1,040/mo
· Zillow rent:
$1,084/mo
Market Indicators (Redfin)
Median Days on Market
29 days
Sale-to-List Ratio
1.0%
Buyers market
Homes Sold
30
Price Drops
23.3%
of listings with price reduction
Price Per Sq Ft
$201
Active Inventory
73
homes for sale
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
31.7%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
2% above US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1991
Average age of housing stock: 35 years
Homeownership Rate
42.9%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $263,800 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $269,519 |
| Median Sale Price | $341,000 |
| Median List Price | $324,950 |
| Price Per Sq Ft | $201 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $1,040 |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,084 |
| FMR Studio | $738 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $788 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $989 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $1,282 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $1,420 |
Market
| Days on Market | 29 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 1.0% |
| Price Drops | 23.3% |
| Homes Sold | 30 |
| Active Inventory | 73 |
| Price Per Sq Ft | $201 |
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 42.9% |
| Renter-Occupied | 57.1% |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% |
| Total Housing Units | 27,356 |
| Median Year Built | 1991 |
| Rent Burden | 31.7% |