Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing St. Cloud, MN vs. Ames, IA

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
St. Cloud, MN vs Ames, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in St. Cloud?
- Ames is 2.6% less expensive than St. Cloud.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or St. Cloud?
- Ames housing costs are 22.6% more expensive than St. Cloud housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in St. Cloud or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 60.0% more in Ames.
 St. Cloud, MNAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall89.987.6100
 Food & Groceries97.097.3100
 Health75.5120.8100
 Housing72.288.5100
 Median Home Cost$218,600$239,100$338,100
 Utilities9,840.0%9,860.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation81.467.2100
 Miscellaneous112.5114.1100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for St. Cloud    11 Reviews

The scenery and the water is amazing here affordable living for retired people  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

Lived here previously, have friends that still do. i don't know why anyone stays. It is the armpit of the state. Smaller town, so everyone knows everyone and is in your  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

A Stabbing happened at a local mall. I would not recommend the school district either. I heard about bullying in the schools too. I would not recommend living in the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of St. Cloud

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ames

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare St. Cloud, Minnesota Cost of Living vs Ames, Iowa Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA
56301 56303 56304
ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now