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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
McLean, VA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in McLean?
- Ames is 41.5% less expensive than McLean.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or McLean?
- Ames housing costs are 77.4% less expensive than McLean housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in McLean or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 18.3% more in Ames.
 McLean, VAAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall149.787.6100
 Food & Groceries118.597.3100
 Health102.1120.8100
 Housing391.788.5100
 Median Home Cost$1,186,400$239,100$338,100
 Utilities9,890.0%9,860.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation125.567.2100
 Miscellaneous147.8114.1100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Mclean    7 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

McLean has superb QOL - inside the Beltway, rural feeling, easy commute to DC via nat'l parkway, influential  More

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Over 16 years ago

There are definitely four seasons here; but, the winters tend to be short and the summers  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very expensive housing here. We could never afford to buy  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 MCLEAN, VIRGINIA
22101
ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012

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