2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Fort Dodge, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fort Dodge or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Fort Dodge is 18.3% less expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fort Dodge or Ames?
- Fort Dodge housing costs are 65.8% less expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Fort Dodge.
- Health related expenses are 2.5% more in Fort Dodge.
 Ames, IAFort Dodge, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock71.6100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock123.8100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$113,300$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock58.8100
 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 Fort Dodge    4 Reviews

Corrupt politicians always scheming to funnel public money to wealthy private interests, creating a welfare dependent economy that will be imploding sooner than later,  More

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Over 10 years ago

Before moving to the Fort Dodge area please consider other options. The city is a decaying town, streets have definitely seen better days and are filthy. There are not  More

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Over 15 years ago

I see that everyone is rather hard on Fort Dodge. I grew up and lived there until I married and (like a failed pioneer) moved east to Gettysburg, Pa. It was the best  More

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