2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Mount Vernon, WA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mount Vernon or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Mount Vernon is 34.4% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mount Vernon or Ames?
- Mount Vernon housing costs are 81.5% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Mount Vernon.
- Health related expenses are 19.5% less in Mount Vernon.
 Ames, IAMount Vernon, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock117.7100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock97.3100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$517,600$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.6100
 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 Mount Vernon    6 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I'm sure it has its flaws, but what stands with me is that everyone whom i meet here is *so polite!* .. People smile and wave you through in traffic. They speak to you  More

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Over 10 years ago

Very little available on starter home price  More

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Over 11 years ago

It rains here a lot. We joke that when the forecast says a 50% chance of rain that it will rain 50% of the day. However, when the sun shines it is beautiful. It is  More

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