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2025 Compare Cities Housing:
West Des Moines, IA vs Ames, IA

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Highlights
- The median age of a home in West Des Moines is 3.4% younger than the median age of a home in Ames.
 West Des Moines, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 Median Home Age29  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$239,100$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months15.8%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock35.0%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.68.7%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$15.8$11.0
 Homes Owned54.7%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock8.3%11.2%
 Homes Rented38.8%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 West Des Moines, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$1,450$1,840
 Studio Apartment$900  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$910$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$1,220  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$1,470$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$1,700  Unlock$2,160
 space1
 Vacant Housing
 West Des Moines, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock4.4%1.9%
 Vacant Rented0.8%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock0.1%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.3%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock0.5%3.6%
 Vacant Other1.3%  Unlock4.1%
 space2
 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 West Des Moines, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock1.3%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9990.5%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock0.8%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9990.6%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock1.3%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,99911.4%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock22.2%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,99932.3%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock14.9%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,9997.5%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock1.1%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,9991.5%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock0.0%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,9990.1%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock0.0%1.1%
 space3
 Housing Units By Year Built
 West Des Moines, IAAmes, IAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.1%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock17.2%13.6%
 2000 to 200916.4%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock18.4%13.6%
 1980 to 198915.6%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock11.2%14.8%
 1960 to 196919.9%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock6.7%10.0%
 1940 to 19491.5%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock9.4%12.2%
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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews
Hazel  · West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines IA
Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Abhd · New York, NY
overall life style
Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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Abhd · West Des Moines, IA
Plenty to do in Des Moines area
Over 18 years ago

We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews
Deborah · San Jose, CA
From California to Iowa
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
Suzanne · Ames, IA
Good and Bad
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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Mack · Ames, IA
Cost of Living in Ames, Iowa
Over 15 years ago

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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Learn More About West Des Moines, Iowa
Overview
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Learn More About Ames, Iowa
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