2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Valparaiso, IN

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Valparaiso or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Valparaiso is 14.3% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Valparaiso or Ames?
- Valparaiso housing costs are 10.3% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Valparaiso.
- Health related expenses are 25.1% less in Valparaiso.
 Ames, IAValparaiso, INUnited States
 Overall  Unlock100.1100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.5100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$301,200$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.5100
 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 Valparaiso    11 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

I moved to Valparaiso, IN about 1 year ago. I moved here because I was attending the law school located here. At a glance, it appears to be a small town, with many new  More

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Over 11 years ago

My favorite restaurants in Valparaiso are: Panera Bread--The lines sometimes get long, but, the service is decent and the food is great. Red Robin--Bottomless fries  More

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I loved driving anywhere, down any road because of the trees, fields and green, green grass that is all over. Cost of living is outrageous! But lil towns close by make  More

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