2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Solana Beach, CA vs Ames, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ames or is it cheaper to live in Solana Beach?
- Ames is 43.4% less expensive than Solana Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ames or Solana Beach?
- Ames housing costs are 85.2% less expensive than Solana Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Solana Beach or is Health Care more affordable in Ames.
- Health related expenses are 35.7% more in Ames.
 Solana Beach, CAAmes, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.6100
 Food & Groceries118.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing596.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.2100
 Miscellaneous153.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Solana Beach    3 Reviews

I've lived in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, San Luis Obispo, Carlsbad, Encinitas and my wife and I saved up every penny we could to buy a  More

   |    Reply

Rent has skyrocketed in Solana Beach in the past ten years. High rent and more people cramming into single person rental units.   More

   |    Reply

Over 20 years ago

Very expensive. Being from east coast it was hard because people dont speak to you in normal situations..example , picking up kids from school ..if you pass a parent  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Solana Beach

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ames


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.