2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palo Alto, CA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Palo Alto?
- The Median Age in Ames is 18.4 years younger than in Palo Alto.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Palo Alto?
- Ames housing costs are 92.3% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Palo Alto?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 7.8 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Palo Alto.

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

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.

 Palo Alto, CAAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$194,782  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$3,107,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.23  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  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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