2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ankeny, IA vs Champaign, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Champaign older or younger than people in Ankeny?
- The Median Age in Champaign is 6.0 years younger than in Ankeny.

Are housing costs cheaper in Champaign or Ankeny?
- Champaign housing costs are 39.4% less expensive than Ankeny housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Champaign or Ankeny?
- The average commute for residents of Champaign is 5.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Ankeny.

Things to do in Ankeny?
Ankeny, Iowa is an incredible city located in the heart of Polk County. This bustling community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the historic downtown district or popular restaurants like Whiskey River BBQ. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Ankeny Park, Ledges State Park, and Terrace Hill Farm. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Ankeny their home.

Things to do in Champaign?
Champaign, Illinois is a thriving university town located approximately two hours south of Chicago. It has plenty of recreational facilities ranging from libraries to state parks offering access to Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or Homer Lake.

 Ankeny, IAChampaign, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock88,343329,725,481
 Median Income$92,959  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$314,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.26  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ankeny    3 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

I moved to Ankeny from Southern CA in June, 2005. My immediate and lasting impression is the incredible home values here, the relatively low population density, and the  More

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Over 17 years ago

Ankeny is a great community to raise a family or to be single. The shools are wonderful and so many activities for kids and families. The weather when it is good, it  More

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Over 18 years ago

We don't call it "Ankenytopia" for nothing! This is the best town in Iowa! The schools are top-notch, the town is growing and getting more attractions. We are missing  More

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Reviews for Champaign    13 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Pros - close to Chicago, has Parkland community college and lots of places to eat. There is a train station downtown that is really good. Beautiful deciduous trees and  More

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Over 8 years ago

I wonderful city with great  More

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Actually it's barely a nice place to live. The pros: Not terribly expensive - at one point the least expensive place to live in the country among modest sized  More

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