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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Santa Clara, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clara or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Santa Clara is 163.7% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Clara or Ames?
- Santa Clara housing costs are 468.9% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Clara.
- Health related expenses are 10.8% less in Santa Clara.
 Ames, IASanta Clara, CAUnited States
 Overall87.6231.0100
 Food & Groceries97.3115.9100
 Health120.8107.7100
 Housing88.5503.5100
 Median Home Cost$239,100$1,438,500$338,100
 Utilities9,860.0%8,600.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation67.2140.5100
 Miscellaneous114.1155.7100

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 12 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 12 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 Santa Clara    14 Reviews

Larry · 

Santa Clara, CA and the city government are great. The city has been for the most part very good to me. I grew up in Santa Clara and now that I have been away for two  More

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I have lived in Santa Clara California most of my life so I consider myself to be an expert. The climate is wonderful. The price of housing is way above the national  More

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Over 9 years ago

Good Central Park and activities; City-owned power company provides lower cost power; home to many high-tech companies; city is  More

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ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012
ZIPS IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
95051 95050 95054 95053

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