2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ames, IA vs West Lafayette, IN

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Highlights
Are people in West Lafayette older or younger than people in Ames?
- The Median Age in West Lafayette is 1.9 years younger than in Ames.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Lafayette or Ames?
- West Lafayette housing costs are 28.0% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Lafayette or Ames?
- The average commute for residents of West Lafayette is 0.8 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 West Lafayette?
West Lafayette, IN is a vibrant city located in Tippecanoe County in north-central Indiana. Home to Purdue University, the community of West Lafayette offers its residents access to world-class education facilities and a thriving economy. The area features several parks and recreational areas perfect for outdoor activities such as biking along the Wabash River or playing baseball at Howard Park. Residents also appreciate being surrounded by a variety of restaurants, unique shops, art galleries and other amenities that make living here so enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to explore nature’s beauty or just want to experience a lively college town atmosphere, West Lafayette is sure to please!

 Ames, IAWest Lafayette, INUnited States
 Population  Unlock44,515329,725,481
 Median Income$54,339  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock21.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$239,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.9%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 West Lafayette    11 Reviews

I am originally from Greencastle, Indiana, a nice friendly rural town and home to DePauw University. Presently, I live in West Lafayette, Indiana, due to my having been  More

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Over 11 years ago

It's a nice small town. It's too bad it's not closer to Indy. I think I would like it here  More

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Over 14 years ago

They have good schools, parks and always have events to  More

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