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

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Rochester?
- The Median Age in Ames is 16.0 years younger than in Rochester.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Rochester?
- Ames housing costs are 43.2% less expensive than Rochester housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Rochester?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 11.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Rochester.

Things to do in Rochester?
Rochester, MI is a small city located in Oakland County, just north of Detroit. It is home to 8,000 residents who enjoy its many parks and recreational facilities as well as nearby lakes and rivers. The city is also known for its historic downtown business district with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

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.

 Rochester, MIAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$100,021  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$420,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time27.86  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Rochester    2 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

The winters are very cold and some snow days can be quite challenging. The summers are great with very little humidty and  More

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Over 16 years ago

Back in the 1970's and early 1980's, Rochester was a nice quiet little town that people lived in to get away from the craziness of other areas in Oakland and Macomb  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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