2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Meridian, ID

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Highlights
Are people in Meridian older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Meridian is 13.2 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Meridian or Ames?
- Meridian housing costs are 103.4% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Meridian or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Meridian is 5.8 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 Meridian?
Meridian, Idaho is a vibrant city located in the southwestern part of the state. From its charming downtown area to its array of activities and attractions, Meridian has something for everyone! Nature lovers will appreciate outdoor activities like fishing at Settlers Park Pond or camping at Falcon Crest Campground. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts will want to take advantage of all the galleries and exhibits available throughout town, such as the Meridian Museum of Art and Village Square Gallery. And after enjoying all these activities, visitors can grab some delicious local fare from places like Chubby's Diner & Bar or Casanova Italian Restaurant! With its diverse attractions and activities, Meridian is an unforgettable place to visit!

 Ames, IAMeridian, IDUnited States
 Population  Unlock115,227329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.4%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 Meridian    18 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

New to the area and so far we think it's a great place to live compared to Denver, where we moved from. Quality of life is so much better here! A lot less traffic than  More

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I have been here since 2013 and have watched child after child be diagnosed with Cancer. Many of the children have been diagnosed with "rare" Cancers. It has been  More

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Over 7 years ago

It has changed a lot over the years... Crime rates are still low and people are overall still nice HOWEVER way too many people are moving to my wonderful town! All the  More

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