2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs Valparaiso, IN

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Highlights
Are people in Valparaiso older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in Valparaiso is 13.1 years older than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in Valparaiso or Ames?
- Valparaiso housing costs are 26.0% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Valparaiso or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of Valparaiso is 5.5 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 Valparaiso?
Valparaiso IN is situated in Porter County right along Lake Michigan and offers plenty of outdoor fun from beach-combing to sailing while still having convenient access to Purdue University’s campus nearby.

 Ames, IAValparaiso, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock33,820329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%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 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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