Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Ames, IA vs. Vail, CO

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Vail, CO

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Vail or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Vail is 75.2% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Vail or Ames?
- Vail housing costs are 343.5% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Vail.
- Health related expenses are 31.9% less in Vail.
 Ames, IAVail, COUnited States
 Overall87.6153.5100
 Food & Groceries97.3109.9100
 Health120.882.3100
 Housing88.5392.5100
 Median Home Cost$239,100$1,530,400$338,100
 Utilities9,860.0%9,040.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation67.282.9100
 Miscellaneous114.1154.9100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 12 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 12 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 Vail    5 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

Vail..pros/ cons Pros 1. beautiful town 2. very low crime Cons 1. Ungodly expensive and that's an understatement 2. unless you are rich and beautiful, this isn't  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

Vail is beautiful year round. Fabulous skiing, hiking, fishing, shopping, restaurants, etc. However, the price you pay to live in a resort town is extremely high cost  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Vail is very different that other areas of the U.S. I have lived in Seattle, Los Angeles, Orange County, Austin TX, Monterey CA... and it is another world here. World  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Vail

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Ames, Iowa Cost of Living vs Vail, Colorado Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN AMES, IOWA
50010 50014 50012
ZIPS IN VAIL, COLORADO
81657

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.

Try Now