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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Fort Myers or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Fort Myers is 18.9% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Fort Myers or Ames?
- Fort Myers housing costs are 4.5% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Fort Myers.
- Health related expenses are 1.3% less in Fort Myers.
 Ames, IAFort Myers, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.2100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock119.2100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$349,500$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock88.5100
 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 Myers    54 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

I've lived here for most of my 30 years. I'm moving my family away in a few months. Here are the reasons: Climate- it's hot. Unbearably hot. And it's going to get  More

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I can't wait for all the replies especially from people that are from Florida or from up North that had to deal with extreme ice and snow. But I can honestly say in the  More

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I've lived in SW Florida on & off for most of my life. When my family first came here over 40 years ago the waterways teemed with fish & wildlife and the beaches,  More

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