2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Spearfish, SD

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Spearfish or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Spearfish is 6.7% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Spearfish or Ames?
- Spearfish housing costs are 8.2% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Spearfish.
- Health related expenses are 20.1% more in Spearfish.
 Ames, IASpearfish, SDUnited States
 Overall  Unlock93.5100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock145.1100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$384,000$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.7100
 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 Spearfish    4 Reviews

I've been in the black Hills since 1994 and,recently moved to the east side of the state, Sioux Falls to be exact. Spearfish, is a very nice & beautiful community but,  More

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Over 18 years ago

The weather is perfect for outdoor  More

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Over 18 years ago

Spearfish is beautiful but there is very little job opportunity. As a result those people who want to advance in their career should avoid Spearfish. On the other hand  More

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