2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Bemidji, MN vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Bemidji?
- Ames is 11.3% more expensive than Bemidji.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Bemidji?
- Ames housing costs are 61.8% more expensive than Bemidji housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Bemidji or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 58.9% more in Ames.
 Bemidji, MNAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries97.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing54.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous98.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Bemidji    4 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Cons. Winter is long, very cold. Not a lot to do (unless you are very into the outdoors) Health care is TERRIBLE. Decent job opportunities are very low. Not the safest  More

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Bemidji, Minn., is home to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, USA curling teams and more art and theater than you'd think possible in a city of 13,000-plus. Downtown  More

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Over 17 years ago

Winters here can be very cold and you can generally look for a good amount of snow for winter  More

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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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