2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Castro Valley, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Castro Valley older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Castro Valley is 19.0 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Castro Valley or Ames?
- Castro Valley housing costs are 338.2% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Castro Valley or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Castro Valley is 17.7 minutes longer than it is for residents of Ames.

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.

Things to do in Castro Valley?
Castro Valley, California is a thriving community located in the heart of Alameda County. This vibrant city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as historic Redwood Canyon or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Lake Chabot Regional Park, Cull Canyon Regional Park, and Castro Valley Community Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Castro Valley their home.

 Ames, IACastro Valley, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock66,324329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.44  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 13 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 13 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 Castro Valley    7 Reviews

CURMUDGEON - THANK YOU for your post. The most important part of your comment is your second paragraph. "Hodge-Podge" is the correct word for a lot of Castro  More

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Over 11 years ago

Kind of rural but close to Oakland and San  More

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Castro Valley is the largest unincorporated "city" in the Bay Area. Over the years, several attempts have been made to incorporate, but they have all been defeated at  More

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