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2024 Compare Cities Overview:
Fairfax, VA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Fairfax?
- The Median Age in Ames is 14.3 years younger than in Fairfax.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Fairfax?
- Ames housing costs are 63.5% less expensive than Fairfax housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Fairfax?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 14.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fairfax.

Things to do in Fairfax?
Fairfax is an incorporated city sitting within Fairfax County, Virginia featuring plenty of things to do during your stay like attending concerts at the historic Sunnyside Botanical Garden suitable for those looking to enjoy some family friendly fun plus nearby Sully Historic Site has stunning views ideal for outdoor activities. Additionally there are several locally owned stores and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine great for any budget during their stay here!

Things to do in Ames?
Ames, Iowa is a lively city located in the heart of central Iowa. This bustling city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the picturesque Reiman Gardens or the historic Octagon Center for the Arts. Residents here also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities at Hills Memorial Park or Brookside Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Ames their home.

 Fairfax, VAAmes, IAUnited States
 Population23,98065,522329,725,481
 Median Income$118,492$54,339$69,021
 Median Age37.723.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$654,200$239,100$338,100
 Unemployment Rate4.3%2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.1516.4426.38

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Reviews for Fairfax    28 Reviews

I lived in the area for 17 years through high school until I eventually became a truck driver. Having now seen most states extensively, I wanted to fairly review what  More

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Living in Fairfax, or any of the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, means dealing with highways that are a Gordian knot of converging lanes and overpasses, making long  More

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Over 9 years ago

The Cost of living here is high. Though the standard of living is also high, unless you're making over 50,000/year, it's difficult to both live and build any sort of  More

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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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ZIPS IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
22030
ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012

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