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

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Highlights
Are people in Columbus older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Columbus is 9.1 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbus or Ames?
- Columbus housing costs are 7.9% less expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbus or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Columbus is 5.1 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, Ohio offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for culture and art or outdoor recreation, there's plenty to explore in this vibrant city. Discover world-class museums like the COSI Science center, historical attractions like German Village or take a stroll through one of the many nearby parks. Sports fanatics can also enjoy some of the best sporting events in the Midwest at Nationwide Arena and Huntington Park. With its diverse offerings and plentiful amenities, Columbus is an ideal destination to explore!

 Ames, IAColumbus, OHUnited States
 Population  Unlock898,143329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock32.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.7%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    156 Reviews

Ellenore · 
Over 2 years ago

I've lived here for my whole life! Awesome place to  More

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We lived in Columbus from 2014-2022, originally from Denver work has taken us to Charlotte, NC, Austin and Atlanta for perspective. One of our biggest reasons for  More

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Over 3 years ago

The city has nice areas and old/ugly areas that look like the remains of a civil war. The nice areas are pretty. Traffic isn't bad compared to Cali but the summer  More

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