2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Portage, MI vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Portage?
- The Median Age in Ames is 13.6 years younger than in Portage.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Portage?
- Ames housing costs are 5.2% less expensive than Portage housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Portage?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 3.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Portage.

Things to do in Portage?
Portage, MI is a peaceful community located in Kalamazoo County near Lake Michigan. Home to numerous parks and recreational areas including Celery Flats Historical Area and Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, Portage provides its residents with plenty of outdoor resources perfect for activities like disc golfing at Milham Park Golf Course or fishing on Pigeon River Country State Game Area. In addition, there are many restaurants, unique shops and other amenities that make living here so enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for rural serenity or just want easy access to nearby cities — Portage has 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.

 Portage, MIAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$68,755  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$252,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.43  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Portage    3 Reviews

I'm just writing because I think that the people who are in my opinion bashing Kalamazoo, really don't know anything about it. I have vacationed in much larger cities,  More

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Before I moved to Portage in 2007, I didn't have any real breathing problems. I had a minor case of hay fever. I moved here and I am stuck inside most of the summer  More

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Over 20 years ago

Portage is a nice palce to live and raise a family. I don't think it would be a good place for a single  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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