2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Hayden, ID

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Hayden or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Hayden is 32.3% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Hayden or Ames?
- Hayden housing costs are 100.2% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Hayden.
- Health related expenses are 13.1% less in Hayden.
 Ames, IAHayden, IDUnited States
 Overall  Unlock115.9100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock105.0100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$556,800$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.3100
 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 Hayden    5 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Used to be nice, but the city council is a joke. Califonians have moved in a the price of houses is now unaffordable. Pay is low and the cost of living is rising. The  More

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Hayden is a beautiful place with wretched weather. Cold, dreary, grey days are the norm from late Oct to late May. There is no “Spring” in Hayden. It can barely eeek out  More

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Hayden is beautiful, but all of North Idaho is getting very crowded. Wages are low; cost of living has gotten pretty high. Maybe we just have bad luck, but we live in a  More

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