2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Johnston, IA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Johnston?
- The Median Age in Ames is 14.3 years younger than in Johnston.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Johnston?
- Ames housing costs are 31.2% less expensive than Johnston housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Johnston?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 3.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Johnston.

Things to do in Johnston?
Johnston is located in Polk County, Iowa, and is part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines metropolitan area. With a population of 20,619, it is the third largest city in Iowa's Polk County. Johnston features many recreational amenities like parks and trails as well as numerous educational facilities such as the Johnston Public Library and Johnston High School.

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.

 Johnston, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$93,363  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$347,700  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.35  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Johnston    2 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Strong National Guard presence and very family-friendly. The library is the best one that I've ever visited. We moved here for the Army two years ago and will be leaving  More

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Over 16 years ago

Everyone here is rich. Really, really,  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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