2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Somerville, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Somerville or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Somerville is 65.2% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Somerville or Ames?
- Somerville housing costs are 218.3% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Somerville.
- Health related expenses are 26.2% less in Somerville.
 Ames, IASomerville, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.2100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$762,800$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock106.7100
 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 Somerville    3 Reviews

I've lived in Somerville/Cambridge for 10 years, the last 4.5 with my husband in Spring Hill. It really is a great place to live if you are in your 20s & 30s: it is  More

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Living in Somerville is OK. I'm not a 'city' person and I would rather be out in the country some place, but it's not too bad here. I'm in my early 50s and own a house.  More

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Over 17 years ago

we are midwest transplants to the Boston area and lucked out by finding this great little neighborhood - right on the train line, little stores and good community - we  More

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