2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Collins, CO vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Fort Collins?
- The Median Age in Ames is 6.6 years younger than in Fort Collins.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Fort Collins?
- Ames housing costs are 56.1% less expensive than Fort Collins housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Fort Collins?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 3.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fort Collins.

Things to do in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins, Colorado is a vibrant city located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Fort Collins. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including museums and galleries. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with live music clubs and movie theaters. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Fort Collins has something for everyone!

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.

 Fort Collins, COAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$72,932  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$544,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.62  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fort Collins    71 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Moved my family here a few months ago and have been so disappointed. Housing is dismal - you get low quality and almost nothing for what you’re paying. The house we’re  More

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Over 4 years ago

There is a high cost of living in all of Colorado, and there is a train that runs through the town a honks its horn for about 5 min straight which is very annoying  More

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My family established our home in Larimer County in 1973; this area, Fort Collins, was a quaint, western-ish town we loved to visit. So I’ve visited FoCo multiple times  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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