2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Kansas City, KS

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Kansas City is 4.9% less expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Kansas City or Ames?
- Kansas City housing costs are 42.9% less expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Kansas City.
- Health related expenses are 15.3% less in Kansas City.
 Ames, IAKansas City, KSUnited States
 Overall  Unlock83.3100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.3100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$163,900$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock91.2100
 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 Kansas City    15 Reviews

Avoid living in Kansas City, KS (Wyandotte Co.) by all means! We made the mistake of moving to this dump. High crime, high unemployment, murders daily, dilapidated  More

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Over 10 years ago

hello  More

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Over 10 years ago

nice weather if you like changing  More

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