2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Ames - 2026 Data
The median home value in Ames is $247,500, 12% below nat'l avg. Median rent is $824/month. With an affordability index of 212, Ames is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Ames, IA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Ames
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Ames is Pella, with a median home value of $240,100.
- 2Ames's median home value is $247,500, 12% below nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Ames's affordability index is 212 (baseline 100), making it more affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Ames is $824/month, 29% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Ames to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Ames Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$247,500
12% below nat'l avg
Median Rent
$824/mo
29% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$57,428
23% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
212
112% above nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Ames (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PellaIA | $240,100 |
| 2 | MarshalltownIA | $109,800 |
| 3 | Pleasant HillIA | $263,600 |
| 4 | Storm LakeIA | $148,900 |
| 5 | CarrollIA | $172,000 |
| 6 | KeokukIA | $89,100 |
| 7 | BooneIA | $142,200 |
| 8 | OskaloosaIA | $123,800 |
| 9 | MarionIA | $208,200 |
| 10 | BettendorfIA | $273,600 |
| 11 | DavenportIA | $155,100 |
| 12 | WaverlyIA | $211,000 |
| 13 | West Des MoinesIA | $266,700 |
| 14 | WaterlooIA | $142,000 |
| 15 | CoralvilleIA | $271,800 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $240,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,556
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $109,800
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 27,511
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $263,600
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,456
Walk Score: 0/100
4
Home Value: $148,900
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 11,194
Walk Score: 0/100
5
Home Value: $172,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,270
Walk Score: 0/100
6
Home Value: $89,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 9,868
Walk Score: 0/100
7
Home Value: $142,200
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 12,482
Walk Score: 0/100
8
Home Value: $123,800
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 11,492
Walk Score: 0/100
9
Home Value: $208,200
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 41,401
Walk Score: 0/100
10
Home Value: $273,600
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 38,997
Walk Score: 0/100
11
Home Value: $155,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 101,448
Walk Score: 0/100
12
Home Value: $211,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,399
Walk Score: 0/100
13
Home Value: $266,700
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 68,744
Walk Score: 0/100
14
Home Value: $142,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 67,256
Walk Score: 0/100
15
Home Value: $271,800
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 22,494
Walk Score: 0/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Ames
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Ames, IA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Pella is the most affordable neighborhood in Ames with a median home value of $240,100. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Ames area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Ames, IA?▾
The median home price in Ames is $247,500, which is 12% below nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Ames affordable compared to the national average?▾
Ames has an affordability index of 212, which means housing is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Ames, IA?▾
The median monthly rent in Ames is $824. This is 29% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Ames?▾
The median household income in Ames is $57,428 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Ames are below the national average home price?▾
15 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Ames have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Pella at $240,100 (Source: Kurby, 2026).