2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Raleigh, NC vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Raleigh?
- Ames is 17.2% less expensive than Raleigh.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Raleigh?
- Ames housing costs are 25.5% less expensive than Raleigh housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Raleigh or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 27.4% more in Ames.
 Raleigh, NCAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall105.887.6100
 Food & Groceries100.697.3100
 Health94.8120.8100
 Housing118.888.5100
 Median Home Cost$427,000$239,100$338,100
 Utilities9,910.0%9,860.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation88.667.2100
 Miscellaneous109.7114.1100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Raleigh    224 Reviews

I moved to Raleigh in 2018. Before that, I lived in Orange County CA, Boulder CO, South Africa, Northern California, Arizona, and Toronto. I say all this to give  More

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Excellent for a great many people or categories of people. As far as prices: ratio of wage and job opportunity here with housing remains one of the better ones in the  More

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Over 1 years ago

I attended university here in the early 90s and came back around 2005 and never left. I'm surprised at the other negative reviews honestly. Yes, housing is pricey in  More

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Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 12 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 12 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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