2025 Compare Cities Overview:
North Pole, AK vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in North Pole?
- The Median Age in Ames is 4.9 years younger than in North Pole.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or North Pole?
- Ames housing costs are 17.4% less expensive than North Pole housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or North Pole?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 7.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of North Pole.

Things to do in North Pole?
Living in North Pole, Alaska is like living in a winter wonderland! From its snow blanketed landscapes to the Northern Lights that dance across the night sky, it's truly a unique experience. The town is full of holiday decorations year round and the shops offer one-of-a-kind gifts from around the world. There's an abundance of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing to enjoy during those long winter months. Even with temperatures reaching lows of -30 degrees Fahrenheit, there's still plenty to do in this charming community that brings Christmas cheer to life all year long.

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.

 North Pole, AKAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$83,524  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$289,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.84  Unlock26.38
Reviews for North Pole    9 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

We visited here once a few years ago and fell in love! We plan to move to this wonderful town on my retirement in a few years! Just starting to look at houses now soo  More

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Over 10 years ago

at times it is well below zero where do people buy their winter clothing and do schools close when the weather is to  More

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Over 16 years ago

Our winter normally starts in september and ends mid april with brake-up. This is when the ice and snow goes away for the spring to come. We will get the coldest 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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