Ames, IA
Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data
Avg Salary
$63,554
across all roles
Cost Index
89
Very Affordable
Avg Rent
$1,326/mo
1-bed apartment
Affordability
6/10
Moderate Affordability
How affordable is Ames?
Moderate Affordability
Purchasing power score: 1.68× (take-home ÷ living costs)
With a cost of living index of 89 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,560/mo, Ames is a low-cost market — your salary goes further here than in most US cities.
Cost of Living Benchmarks
Cost Index
89
US avg = 100
Est. Monthly Rent
$1,326
1-bed, city avg
Avg Disposable
$1,560
after taxes + living costs
Median Salary
$55,795
across all tracked roles
Purchasing Power
1.68×
take-home ÷ costs
Jobs Tracked
791
job titles with data
Highest-Paying Jobs in Ames
By gross annual salary
- $199,877
- $198,858
- $197,470
- $193,952
- $191,802
- $191,791
- $189,846
- $187,065
- $179,965
- $177,764
Best Jobs for Disposable Income
After taxes and living costs
- $9,853/mo
- $9,791/mo
- $9,707/mo
- $9,493/mo
- $9,362/mo
- $9,361/mo
- $9,243/mo
- $9,074/mo
- $8,642/mo
- $8,508/mo
Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Ames
These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.
Rail Transportation Workers
$2/mo left
$37,945/yr gross
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
$10/mo left
$38,068/yr gross
Firstline Supervisors Of Food Preparation And Serving Workers
$11/mo left
$38,092/yr gross
Telephone Operators
$12/mo left
$38,111/yr gross
Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers
$21/mo left
$38,247/yr gross
Explore Ames Further
All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.