2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs The Villages, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in The Villages older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in The Villages is 49.3 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in The Villages or Ames?
- The Villages housing costs are 68.9% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, The Villages or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of The Villages is 7.5 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 The Villages?
The Villages, Florida is a retirement community located near Ocala offering visitors access to plenty of golf courses, pools, shopping and entertainment venues.

 Ames, IAThe Villages, FLUnited States
 Population  Unlock76,415329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock72.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.44  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 14 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

   |    Reply

Over 14 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ames

Reviews for The Villages    10 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

The Village’s is a great place to ride your bike with all the many bike trails or golf cart trails to ride on, the problem with this place that ive experienced with this  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

we were considering the Villages but honestly, not interested in living in a place where people do not support our president, that is  More

   |    Reply

Henry · 
Over 6 years ago

Since 2010, it has had a population growth of 85.0%, which is a bit low compared to 2020. As for the Cons - Violent Crime - This is definitely not true. It might be in  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of The Villages


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.