Ames, IABest Places to Live in the US in 2022

No surprise here: Iowa State is the largest employer in Ames. Some titans of industry include higher education, health care, manufacturing and agriculture.

Iowa State University

Ames residents enjoy four seasons. Average high temps range from 29 degrees in January to 85 degrees in July. 

From biking along the Ames Trail System to taking in an epic hike, the outdoors is yours to explore in Ames. Fishing enthusiasts can hang out at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park year round. The park was named for the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from then-Iowa State College.

The cost of living in Ames is lower than the national average, though more than half of the residents rent their homes. Most of Ames has access to high-speed internet at a reasonable cost. Dotted with several parks and museums, Ames is a great spot for more pared back down time. When you need to work outside your home, the Catalyst coworking space is an excellent place to get work done.

Dog Eared Books has adorable shop dogs and fun events like trivia and poetry slams. Co-owners Ellyn Grimm and Amanda Lepper even have a podcast called Bubbles and Books. 

When the Cyclones aren’t playing, head to the Reiman Gardens, which has aromatic herbs, roses, a palm tree, native prairie species and more. There are also nearly 800 butterflies fluttering about in a tropical sanctuary.

Admission is free at Brunnier Art Museum (though donations are welcome!). The museum has a collection of decorative arts – we’re talking ceramics, glass, ivory, jade and enameled metals. 

You’d be hard-pressed to find better happy hour specials than the ones at London Underground, a British pub with tasty beers from around the world and an impressive selection of whiskey.

The Ames Miracle Playground and Field is an inclusive playground built for children of all abilities. It has rubberized turf and is wheelchair accessible.

With an affordable cost of living, a strong economy and friendly residents, Ames is a best place to live in Iowa.

Ames is a midsize city with affordable living costs and exceptional quality of life, ideal for young families and professionals looking to trade the hustle and bustle of Des Moines for a quieter suburban environment and tons of outdoor opportunities in over 38 parks. Another attractive feature of this young city is its reasonably-priced housing market with homes for sale in Ames, IA, at a median sale price of around $246K. The Ames, IA real estate market offers more single-family detached homes than condos. Families can find existing and new homes on the north and east sides of the city, particularly desirable are the new development communities of Quarry Estates and Northridge Heights. Most condo units are located southeast of Ames, some selling for as low as $70K. If Ames, IA sounds like the ideal place for you, contact a local eXp real estate agent.