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Ames, Iowa Retirement Guide
established retirement community
54
Retirement Score
Ames, Iowa at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $253,300
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
- Avg January Low
- 11.9°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 54 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$253,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$885High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
17.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
83.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
17.8 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
83.5°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
11.9°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
33.5"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
290 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
88.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
23.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
66,265High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
23.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
10.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$57,428High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
42.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
3.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
62.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
26.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
79.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
3.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
3.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
10.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Ames using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$549
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$616
Median home price used: $253,300
Median rent reference: $885 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.