2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Santee, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santee older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Santee is 15.9 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santee or Ames?
- Santee housing costs are 180.9% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santee or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Santee is 10.3 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 Santee?
Santee, California is a vibrant and bustling city located near San Diego. With its bustling downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, visitors can experience the area's unique culture and history. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring any of Santee's many parks or taking in the breathtaking views of nearby Lake Murray. Plus, with its convenient location close to San Diego and other major cities of Southern California, visitors have easy access for a day trip if desired. With so much to offer, it's no wonder why Santee remains a popular destination year-round!

 Ames, IASantee, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock59,679329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.8%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 Santee    10 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

I have lived in Santee for 36 years and the changes have been extensive. Traffic has been, and still is, a big problem. However, that's a problem in most CA towns and  More

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Over 13 years ago

San Diego in general is a very expensive place to live. Santee is less so but compared to the rest of the country we are way over  More

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Over 17 years ago

Santee has a great quality of life,low crime, good schools(some of the best schools east county has to offer), fairly short commute time, as it is fairly well central in  More

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