The median home in Ames, Iowa is valued at $264,793, up 2.9% year over year. Typical monthly rent is $1,134, producing a price-to-rent ratio of 19.5x — near the national average of 18x. Ames is part of the Ames, IA metropolitan area, which CrashWatch tracks daily with real-time stress scores and crash risk analysis.

Home Value$264,793

+2.9%

Rent$1,134/mo

Prices rising — worse for buyers.

Affordability

Enter your income for Ames.

Income (annual)

Down Payment

$52,959 on $264,793

Example: $75,000 household income. Change it above to see your own.

Stretch29.4% of income

Above 28% but manageable with cuts.

PITI$1,835

P/I29.4%

Afford$253K

Gap-$12K

P&I $1,339Tax $346Ins $150

Renting $701/mo cheaper ($1,134 rent)6.50% 30yr, 20% down, county tax + IA ins. 28% per HUD.

Home Buying Kit For Dummies (2025)Financing, negotiation, closing

Other cities in Iowa

Compare Ames with other housing markets across Iowa.

West Okoboji$794K Orleans$629K Wahpeton$550K Shueyville$525K Cumming$508K Panora$474K Honey Creek$441K Ackworth$437K

Full Ames, IA analysis

Stress scores, crash risk, early warning signals, and 12-month price forecasts for the Ames, IA metro.

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