2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Spirit Lake, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Spirit Lake older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Spirit Lake is 17.7 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Spirit Lake or Ames?
- Spirit Lake housing costs are 15.4% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Spirit Lake or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Spirit Lake is 0.7 minutes shorter 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 Spirit Lake?
Living in Spirit Lake, IA is a unique experience that many people enjoy. The small town atmosphere and rural setting provide a peaceful and tranquil environment, where everyone knows each other and looks out for one another. The scenery is breathtaking, with the beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and lush green fields creating an idyllic natural backdrop that can't be experienced anywhere else. Residents can take advantage of all the outdoor activities the area has to offer such as fishing, boating, swimming, skiing, ATV riding and more. There are numerous small businesses in town providing goods and services to locals. Overall, Spirit Lake is a great place to call home offering a safe and friendly environment for families to grow together in nature's beauty.

 Ames, IASpirit Lake, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,301329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock41.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.9%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 Spirit Lake    1 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

We moved from a medium sized city in the West (about 100,000) to Spirit Lake a few years ago. Although it took a little while to get used to living in a small town  More

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