2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Chapel Hill, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chapel Hill or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Chapel Hill is 23.1% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chapel Hill or Ames?
- Chapel Hill housing costs are 78.0% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Chapel Hill.
- Health related expenses are 15.1% less in Chapel Hill.
 Ames, IAChapel Hill, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock107.8100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.5100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$550,100$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock82.6100
 Miscellaneous114.1  Unlock100
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 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 Chapel Hill    16 Reviews

Between my wife and I, we've lived in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and it's Chapel Hill we prefer. Franklin Street is always lively with an eclectic mix of  More

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I am not sure if Bert has actually been to the Triangle, but for starters, Durham, as Chapel Hill residents know and envy, is and has been for 5 yrs now a vibrant  More

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someone told me they live in the hills/mountains right near chapel hill, and the summers are much cooler there, while the town itself is easily accessible. is this  More

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