2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Northampton, MA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Northampton?
- Ames is 14.8% less expensive than Northampton.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Northampton?
- Ames housing costs are 27.9% less expensive than Northampton housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Northampton or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 35.0% more in Ames.
 Northampton, MAAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries108.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing122.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities113  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous128.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Northampton    6 Reviews

I was born in Northampton in the 1960"s and have lived other places but always came back to live here. My two children were born here too. What draws be back to  More

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The greater Northampton, MA area is generally a pretty good place to live, if you're interested in Western MA or southern New England in general. MA is more affordable  More

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Northampton is a very progressive, diverse, liberal small city where you will find so much to do in just the downtown area alone. Music, shopping, restaurants, bars,  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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