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2025 Compare Cities Housing:
Ames, IA vs Palm Desert, CA

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Highlights
- The median age of a home in Ames is 16.7% younger than the median age of a home in Palm Desert.
 Ames, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Median Home Age30  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$539,000$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months11.4%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock83.1%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.63.1%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$10.5$11.0
 Homes Owned38.9%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock35.3%11.2%
 Homes Rented52.8%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 Ames, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$2,590$1,840
 Studio Apartment$840  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$1,550$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$1,030  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$2,630$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$1,750  Unlock$2,160
 space1
 Vacant Housing
 Ames, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock1.5%1.9%
 Vacant Rented1.5%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock1.7%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.6%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock30.0%3.6%
 Vacant Other1.3%  Unlock4.1%
 space2
 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 Ames, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock1.3%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9993.3%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock2.0%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9990.7%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock0.9%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,99910.3%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock6.7%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,99937.7%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock21.0%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,9995.1%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock19.4%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,9991.3%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock3.2%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,9990.0%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock1.6%1.1%
 space3
 Housing Units By Year Built
 Ames, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.5%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock11.5%13.6%
 2000 to 200917.2%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock20.0%13.6%
 1980 to 19899.2%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock20.5%14.8%
 1960 to 196918.4%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock3.5%10.0%
 1940 to 19492.5%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock0.5%12.2%
Transportation
Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews
Deborah · San Jose, CA
From California to Iowa
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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Suzanne · Ames, IA
Good and Bad
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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Mack · Ames, IA
Cost of Living in Ames, Iowa
Over 15 years ago

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 Palm Desert    14 Reviews
Blake · Palm Desert, CA
Worst Place Ever
Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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M · Palm Desert, CA
A fading Gem because of Dem
Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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JJ · Palm Desert, CA
Very unhealthy place to live!!
Over 9 years ago

I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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Learn More About Ames, Iowa
Overview
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Learn More About Palm Desert, California
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