2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Grand Junction, CO vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Grand Junction?
- Ames is 11.6% less expensive than Grand Junction.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Grand Junction?
- Ames housing costs are 18.9% less expensive than Grand Junction housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Grand Junction or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 40.0% more in Ames.
 Grand Junction, COAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries101.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing109.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous107.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Grand Junction    54 Reviews

Grand Junction is another one of those fast growing places due to its cheaper than average cost of living. However with each passing year, that once $600 a month one  More

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I’ve lived in Grand Junction for 18 years, but have been coming here (girlfriend, wife, family) since 1992. I think the biggest change or challenge for long time locals,  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in Grand Junction for 14 months and it is a nice area, but very expensive to live. There is an ongoing housing crisis due to poor city planning and it has  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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