2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Santa Rosa, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Rosa older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Santa Rosa is 16.6 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Rosa or Ames?
- Santa Rosa housing costs are 178.9% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Rosa or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Rosa is 6.2 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 Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa, California is situated in the heart of Sonoma County and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and charming downtown area. The city has a vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and theaters, as well as many wineries throughout the region that offer tours. Outdoor activities abound in the area, such as biking trails, golf courses, and hiking paths to explore. The city also houses a number of restaurants that serve up delicious local dishes. With its stunning scenery and array of activities to enjoy, Santa Rosa is an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all!

 Ames, IASanta Rosa, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock179,213329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4038.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.2%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 Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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