Ames
United States, North America
0.1M people
America/Chicago
English
College Town
Midwestern Charm
Ames
Ames is a city in central Iowa, known for its strong agricultural ties and as the home of Iowa State University.
Family Friendly
Safety
85
Security
Very Safe
Cost
78
Living costs
Expensive
Healthcare
80
Medical
Excellent
22°
L: 10°
Best time to visitJune
Annual rainfall
850mmCost of Living
78
Overall Cost
Expensive
65
Rent Index
Expensive
90
Groceries
Very Expensive
75
Restaurants
Expensive
Monthly Rent (USD)
1 Bedroom
$800
City center
3 Bedroom
$1,400
City center
Cost vs Global Average28% higher
Quality of LifeSmall expat community
75
Overall Quality Score
Excellent quality of life
Overall Quality
Life satisfaction
75
Excellent
Good75
Cultural Diversity
Multicultural environment
60
Good
Average60
Food Scene
Restaurants and cuisine
70
Very Good
Good70
Entertainment
Nightlife and activities
65
Very Good
Good65
English Proficiency
Language accessibility
100
Outstanding
Excellent100
Expat Integration
Community inclusion
70
Very Good
Good70
Cultural Scene
Rich cultural diversity with 60/100 score
Food Culture
Vibrant dining scene rated 70/100
Entertainment
65/100 entertainment options
Location
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Interactive MapClick to explore
Work & Economy
AVERAGE
$55K
Annual Salary
SPEED
100
Mbps Internet
SPACES
2
Coworking
Work Environment Scores
Job Market
Professional opportunities
70
out of 100
Good70
Startup Ecosystem
Professional opportunities
50
out of 100
Average50
Business Freedom
Professional opportunities
85
out of 100
Excellent85
Work-Life Balance
Average work hours per week
40h
Healthcare System
Quality Index
Healthcare excellence
80
Excellent
Excellent80
Cost Index
Healthcare affordability
85
Expensive
Bad85
System Overview
System Type
Mixed
Emergency Number
911
Hospital Density
20
per 100k people
Life Expectancy
Health Indicator
78
years
Compared to global average (73 years)
Excellent92
Good health outcomes
Safety & Security
Overall SafetyVery Safe
Score: 85/100
Crime Rate IndexVery Low
Index: 15/100 (lower is better)
Political Stability95/100
Emergency
911
Disaster Risk
Low
Environment & Health
HEALTHCARE
80
Health Index
LIFESPAN
78
Years
HOSPITALS
20
Per 100K
Environmental Quality
Air Quality
Clean air quality
40
Fair
Poor40
Green Spaces
Parks and nature access
80
Excellent
Excellent80
Noise Levels
Peaceful environment
70
Good
Good70
Air Quality Index
Moderate air quality
60
Transportation & Mobility
MONTHLY
—
Public Transport
PER LITER
$0.70
Fuel Cost
PER KM
—
Taxi Rate
Mobility Scores
Public Transport
Buses, trains, metro
40
Fair
Walkability
Pedestrian friendly
60
Good
Traffic Flow
Commute efficiency
60
Good
Nearby Airports
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Mobility & Transportation
Public Transport
Quality & coverage
40
Fair
Poor40
Walkability
Pedestrian-friendly
60
Good
Average60
Traffic Congestion
Moderate
40 Index
Poor40
Transportation Costs
Public Transport
—
per month
Fuel
$0.7
per liter
Taxi
—
per km
Education & Family
INTERNATIONAL
—
Schools
MONTHLY
$1,000
Childcare
Quality Scores
Education Quality
Schools and universities
85
Excellent
Family Friendliness
Child-friendly environment
80
Excellent
Major Universities
Iowa State University
Higher education institution
Lifestyle & Culture
Overall Culture Score
Arts, heritage & cultural richness
Good
70
Good70
Cultural Diversity
Multicultural environment
60
Average60
Food Scene
Restaurant quality & variety
70
Good70
Entertainment
Arts, events & activities
65
Good65
Nightlife
Bars, clubs & evening scene
50
Average50
Language & Integration
English Proficiency
High
100
Excellent100
Language Barrier
High
100
Excellent100
Expat Community
Community Size
Small
Integration Score
70
Good70
Digital Nomad Guide
100 Mbps
Internet Speed
2
Coworking Spaces
Remote Work Infrastructure80/100
Visa Process95/100
Banking & Finance90/100
Avg Salary
$55,000
Work Hours/Week
40h
Internet Cost
$60/month
Visa Info
US visa requirements apply
Business Freedom85/100
Expat Life & Integration
Small Community
Expat Community Size
Integration Ease70/100
Language BarrierHigh Barrier
Score: 100/100 (lower is better)
English Proficiency100/100
Cultural Diversity60/100
Official Languages
English
Tipping Culture
Customary in restaurants and bars
Weekend Culture
Relaxed, with many outdoor activities available
Practical Information
Time Zone
America/Chicago
Languages
English
Emergency
911
Healthcare System
Mixed
Cultural Guidelines
Tipping
Customary in restaurants and bars
Weekend Culture
Relaxed, with many outdoor activities available
Best Time to Visit
June
July
August
September
Natural Disaster Risk
Low
Visa Requirements
US visa requirements apply
Key Statistics
0.1M
Population
78
Cost Index
100 Mbps
Internet
$0.8K
1BR Rent
40
Transport
$55K
Avg Salary
🍱 Eating Out
🍱 Lunch Menu
—
🥂 Dinner for 2
—
🥪 Fast Food Meal
—
🍻 Beer (0.5L)
—
☕ Cappuccino
—
🥤 Coke (0.5L)
—
🚌 Transportation
🚌 Local Ticket
—
🎟️ Monthly Pass
—
🚕 Taxi (8km)
—
⛽ Gas (1L)
—
🏠 Rent & Utilities
🏙️ 1BR City Center
—
🏡 1BR Outside
—
🏙️ 3BR City Center
—
🏡 3BR Outside
—
🔌 Utilities (1 person)
—
🌐 Internet (50 Mbps)
—
🛒 Groceries
🥛 Milk (1L)
—
🍞 Bread (0.5kg)
—
🍚 Rice (1kg)
—
🥚 Eggs (12 pack)
—
🧀 Cheese (1kg)
—
🐔 Chicken (1kg)
—
🥩 Beef (1kg)
—
🍏 Apples (1kg)
—
💼 Other Services
🏋️ Gym (Monthly)
—
🎫 Cinema Ticket
—
👩⚕️ Doctor Visit
—
💇 Haircut
—
👖 Jeans
—
👟 Sneakers
—
👶 Daycare (Monthly)
—
🏫 Int'l School (Yearly)
—
📍 Location & Places
Universities
Iowa State University
Nearby location
Airports
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Nearby location
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