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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Merced or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Merced is 24.5% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Merced or Ames?
- Merced housing costs are 24.6% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Merced.
- Health related expenses are 0.4% more in Merced.
 Ames, IAMerced, CAUnited States
 Overall87.6109.1100
 Food & Groceries97.399.5100
 Health120.8121.3100
 Housing88.5110.3100
 Median Home Cost$239,100$373,000$338,100
 Utilities9,860.0%11,030.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation67.2101.1100
 Miscellaneous114.1108.7100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Hello, I am in San Jose Ca, but am seriously thinking of moving somewhere much slower for a better quality of living. I've just turned 59, so I'm kinda preparing for  More

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Over 12 years ago

Like every other city Ames has both good and bad points. The good points are: low cost of living, very friendly people, lots of outdoor activities and quite a few events  More

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Ames enjoys a high quality of life at a very affordable cost, substantially lower than many other communities. The presence of Iowa State University, a large (28,000  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 4 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012
ZIPS IN MERCED, CALIFORNIA
95340 95348 95341

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