| | Vista, CA | Ames, IA | United States |
| Overall | 154.9 | 87.6 | 100 |
| Food & Groceries | 108.1 | 97.3 | 100 |
| Health | 89.0 | 120.8 | 100 |
| Housing | 236.6 | 88.5 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $796,900 | $239,100 | $338,100 |
| Utilities | 10,150.0% | 9,860.0% | 10,000.0% |
| Transportation | 120.9 | 67.2 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 153.9 | 114.1 | 100 |
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
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I bought a house in Vista, CA, and lived there since 2013-2017. My kids and I loved that area (Shadow Ridge). People are friendly, down-to-earth, not snobby. I would More
I've lived here 3 years and it has an unbeatable climate. Close to everything you could want. A renovated downtown and access to mass transit. Very nice place, friendly More
Truly a hidden gem - I was nervous after first moving since it seemed far from San Diego, but my concerns have been fully alleviated in just a couple months of time in More
Start Your Review of Vista
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
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
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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