2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Olympia, WA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Olympia?
- The Median Age in Ames is 15.0 years younger than in Olympia.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Olympia?
- Ames housing costs are 49.4% less expensive than Olympia housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Olympia?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 4.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Olympia.

Things to do in Olympia?
Olympia, Washington is a scenic city located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Home to the majestic Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound, Olympia offers an unrivaled combination of urban amenities and spectacular natural beauty. Visitors can explore its vibrant downtown district with its numerous shops, galleries and restaurants or spend time outdoors enjoying activities like fishing, hiking, kayaking and bird watching. With a thriving arts community, diverse population and welcoming atmosphere, Olympia is a great place to visit or call home!

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.

 Olympia, WAAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$67,975  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$472,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.48  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Olympia    39 Reviews

We moved here from Kitsap Bremerton/Silverdale WA area and this beats it all the way in all material ways. The only reason not to give it 5 stars is the cost of  More

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Over 4 years ago

The city is horrible. The business have been chased out by homeless. The city government makes it for difficult for businesses to thrive. If you like what Seattle is  More

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Having lived all over the world we decided to retire in Olympia and live on the Puget Sound. Yes it rains but the weather can change dramatically in a day with sun and  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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