2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Columbus, IN

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Highlights
Are people in Columbus older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Columbus is 12.3 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbus or Ames?
- Columbus housing costs are 3.8% less expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbus or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Columbus is 0.8 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 Columbus?
Columbus, IN is an exciting city located in Bartholomew County near Seymour. Home toparks such as Mill Race CenterFountain Plaza Gardenand Haw Creek Nature Preserve ; Columbus offersitsresidents plentyof outdoorsourcesperfectforactivitieslike kayakingat Clifty CreekPark orexploring MillRacePark naturetrails .Theareaalsofeaturesseveralrestaurantsanduniqueshopsaswellasotheramenitiesthatmakelivingheresoenjoyable .Whetheryou’relookingforgreatculturalattractionsorjustwantanerescapedallthehustleandbustle—Columbushasitall !

 Ames, IAColumbus, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock50,718329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.8%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 Columbus    16 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up in Columbus Indiana and returned 38 years later after retiring. Columbus has always been a unique place to live and well above average for Indiana. However,  More

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Columbus is a beautiful town for young families or up and coming professionals. It has great restaurants, parks, architecture, and diverse recreation.   More

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Columbus is a friendly town that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. It provides lots of amenities for young families with very close proximity to big cities  More

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