2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Mountain View, CA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Mountain View?
- The Median Age in Ames is 12.0 years younger than in Mountain View.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Mountain View?
- Ames housing costs are 86.5% less expensive than Mountain View housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Mountain View?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 6.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Mountain View.

Things to do in Mountain View?
Mountain View, California offers a unique mix between traditional landmarks such as Moffett's Hangar One or the NASA Ames Research Center for any aerospace aficionado combined with modern attractions such as Shoreline Amphitheater or GooglePlex.

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.

 Mountain View, CAAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$158,104  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,773,700  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.01  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Mountain View    15 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

It’s  More

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I've lived here 25 years. Perfect climate. Very central for employment opportunities. Really great schools. 45 min to San Fran, 45 min to Santa Cruz beach. Shoreline  More

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Over 15 years ago

I was born and raised in Mountain View. I used to really like this city, and California. Unfortunately, the city (along with the state) has been over run with high  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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