2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Salina, KS vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ames older or younger than people in Salina?
- The Median Age in Ames is 15.2 years younger than in Salina.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ames or Salina?
- Ames housing costs are 48.0% more expensive than Salina housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ames or Salina?
- The average commute for residents of Ames is 2.5 minutes longer than it is for residents of Salina.

Things to do in Salina?
Salina, Kansas is a thriving community located in Saline County right off I-70 - making it an excellent pit stop if you’re travelling through Kansas! Visitors can check out popular local attractions like Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure Zoo or catch up on Salina’s rich history at the Saline County Historical Museum. If you need some retail therapy Heebie Jeebies Antiques Mall has plenty of unique items while the eclectic lineup at the Stiefel Theatre guarantees something fun every night!

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.

 Salina, KSAmes, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock65,522329,725,481
 Median Income$52,702  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock23.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$161,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time13.96  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Salina    6 Reviews

I moved here 3 years ago, because I wanted to raise my children in a small town. We lived in a big city with a lot of crime and the some kids were always in trouble. I  More

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Salina in some parts is so wild that there are animals, tutles and skunks I saw at night while dring a beer outside the market near Tony's Pizza factory ownd by the  More

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Over 10 years ago

I was there for almost a whole year. I stayed at the Salina Rescue Mission for free however nothing is really "free". Housing- Salina downtown purports to have cheap  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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