2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Diego, CA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in San Diego?
- Ames is 43.4% less expensive than San Diego.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or San Diego?
- Ames housing costs are 68.2% less expensive than San Diego housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Diego or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 35.7% more in Ames.
 San Diego, CAAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries109.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing278.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  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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