# Average Rent in Ames, IA

> How much is rent in Ames, IA? $950 median across 139 units in 10 buildings, each with a daily price history and a citywide trend, tracked daily.

Canonical: https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/

Latest included observation: November 8, 2026

## What is the average rent in Ames, IA?

The average listed apartment rent in Ames, IA is $1,137 per month, as of November 8, 2026. This sample includes 139 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 1, 2026 through November 8, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.

10 apartment buildings, 139 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.

[Browse apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/)

Avg Rent

$1,137/mo

median $950

[-10.6% vs last month](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/)

Cheapest

$670/mo

Unique Apartment Homes

Properties

10

tracked daily

Units

139

available now

[View rent trends and price history](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/) [Explore Ames, IA on the interactive map](https://average-rent.com/search/#city=ames-ia)

[Ames, IA Resident Access](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/resident-access/): City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips. View

Analysis

## Rent Price Breakdown

Compare pricing across all 10 properties in Ames, IA.

Timeframe

## Average rent trend, last 3 months

All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.

$1,013

Average rent today

Line chart of average rent in Ames, IA over the last 3 months. Started at $1,092, ended at $1,013.

### Average rent trend, last 3 months

| Date or category | Average monthly rent (USD) |
| --- | --- |
| Aug | 1,092 |
| Aug | 1,072 |
| Aug | 1,065 |
| Aug | 1,047 |
| Sep | 1,046 |
| Sep | 1,036 |
| Sep | 1,018 |
| Sep | 1,014 |
| Oct | 1,034 |
| Oct | 1,114 |
| Oct | 1,068 |
| Oct | 1,129 |
| Oct | 1,144 |
| Nov | 1,013 |

[Full Ames, IA price history](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/)

### Average Rent by Property

### Starting Price vs Average

### Rent by Bedroom Count

### Price per Square Foot

## Ames, IA Rent Prices

All 10 properties ranked by lowest available rent.

[#1 4.4 (274)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-landing-ames-ames-ia/): The Landing Ames 416 Billy Sunday Rd, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $495/mo as of Oct 2 Avg $519 7 units

[#2 3.9 (211)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/unique-apartment-homes-ames-ia/): Unique Apartment Homes 2408 Chamberlain St #101, Ames, IA 50014, USA From $670/mo Avg $1,483 43 units

[#3 4.4 (33)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/riverbirch-ames-ia/): Riverbirch 201 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $695/mo Avg $852 5 units

[#4 3.7 (6)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-oak-ames-ia/): South Oak 221 S Oak Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $695/mo Avg $836 13 units

[#5 4.1 (58)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-meadow-ames-ia/): South Meadow 321 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $799/mo Avg $942 27 units

[#6 4.6 (135)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-foundry-ames-ia/): The Foundry 2300 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA From $799/mo Avg $849 2 units

[#7 4.1 (15)](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/maple-glen-ames-ia/): Maple Glen 229 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $860/mo Avg $933 3 units

| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [The Landing Ames 416 Billy Sunday Rd, Ames, IA 50010, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-landing-ames-ames-ia/) | $495 as of Oct 2 | $519 | $0.47/ft² | 4.4 (274) | 7 |
| 2 | [Unique Apartment Homes 2408 Chamberlain St #101, Ames, IA 50014, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/unique-apartment-homes-ames-ia/) | $670 | $1,483 | $1.51/ft² | 3.9 (211) | 43 |
| 3 | [Riverbirch 201 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/riverbirch-ames-ia/) | $695 | $852 | $1.36/ft² | 4.4 (33) | 5 |
| 4 | [South Oak 221 S Oak Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-oak-ames-ia/) | $695 | $836 | $1.42/ft² | 3.7 (6) | 13 |
| 5 | [South Meadow 321 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-meadow-ames-ia/) | $799 | $942 | $1.35/ft² | 4.1 (58) | 27 |
| 6 | [The Foundry 2300 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-foundry-ames-ia/) | $799 | $849 | $0.75/ft² | 4.6 (135) | 2 |
| 7 | [Maple Glen 229 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/maple-glen-ames-ia/) | $860 | $933 | $1.33/ft² | 4.1 (15) | 3 |

## Rent & Price History by Building

Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.

[Browse all apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/)

[The Landing Ames](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-landing-ames-ames-ia/): ![The Landing Ames apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/15563?w=600) 4.4 (274) 416 Billy Sunday Rd, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $495/mo prices as of Oct 2 7 units

[Unique Apartment Homes](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/unique-apartment-homes-ames-ia/): ![Unique Apartment Homes apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/15569?w=600) 3.9 (211) 2408 Chamberlain St #101, Ames, IA 50014, USA From $670/mo 43 units

[Riverbirch](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/riverbirch-ames-ia/): ![Riverbirch apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/17909?w=600) 4.4 (33) 201 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $695/mo 5 units

[South Oak](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-oak-ames-ia/): ![South Oak apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/17910?w=600) 3.7 (6) 221 S Oak Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $695/mo 13 units

[South Meadow](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-meadow-ames-ia/): ![South Meadow apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/15574?w=600) 4.1 (58) 321 S 5th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA From $799/mo 27 units

[The Foundry](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-foundry-ames-ia/): ![The Foundry apartments in Ames, IA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/AaVGc3mdB99P5ovQFXcn_ot01DmEliI310C160AHvSuzbZw4nrdvUf_mY7IpOPqyRh4NTUyWRdPtz4bYVQeIGABgtQTmllJgbtgP6PQ3D6oKuPW1TFgLqj8ZSK5yj8Vix2UOYDLMYd8L6O_9SLbJEHUCb5a1pVx3Ryz3_i2HJquPVWOy9TpZ29s4dkDL3jcEK2W7mo8oOn0udR69OsmJWLg-czc18gCtBZljqzC-yneUuHKf75l1puixnQzdOFaM5qBwxeyg7LRgXTbtTWI1uiLSK6F_jVwhEnrNGgp9kgTaV8d4u6dalC1aZU3tqpcI3bxoIR3-BTanG80xsCdBhDHzkU9LV0YH-1iYl9gPn3UhxQTJM7i6wxBpKKxs4smoAkjxlveuodppzToMCUd8gymgpLc0uIp6vcLjsqBcY5WP37IAhbD-X6iFX2TMkyP5J3YXbsNLP4DLK92d3QP4_unfb6WtlaeUH-S89JTzj0HtdduSiX14sxxjGZPf7e7LPiSgqlh_Jwwl34Zaqnf8_3QFC7ozu4AHLT8efjMEzH4bkoiJNUW7PerMsFzft2sajH_qFdCrTRd0aoXF8KB-341hqmC_NKcOiQ?w=600) 4.6 (135) 2300 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA From $799/mo 2 units

[Browse all Ames, IA apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/)

By Area

## Ames, IA neighborhoods

Tracked buildings across 2 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.

[Ames 50010 8](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/?neighborhood=Ames%2050010)[Ames 50014 4](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/?neighborhood=Ames%2050014)

## Ames, IA Average Rent Prices 2026

The average listed rent in Ames, IA is **$1,137 per month**, based on 139 units across 10 apartment communities. Prices range from $670 at Unique Apartment Homes to $2,960 at Unique Apartment Homes.

### Average Rent by Bedroom Type

| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Studio | $738/mo | $695/mo | 4 |
| 1 Bed | $869/mo | $670/mo | 43 |
| 2 Bed | $1,081/mo | $850/mo | 62 |
| 3 Bed | $1,372/mo | $999/mo | 17 |
| 4 Bed | $2,103/mo | $799/mo | 13 |

We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.

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Preview

Market Context

## Who rents in Ames, IA, and what they pay

Tracked one-bedroom rent in Ames, IA averages **$869/mo** , with two-bedroom units averaging **$1,081/mo**. At the local median household income of **$60,102**, that works out to **23% of gross income**, well within the 25 percent comfortable-rent threshold.

The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Ames, IA at **$1,040/mo**. The [current tracked market average](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/) runs **9% higher than** that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Ames, IA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.

## What salary do I need to live comfortably in Ames, IA?

Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.

Minimum to afford average rent

$45,000/year

Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $1,137/mo.

Comfortable income

$55,000/year

Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.

To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($670/mo), you need to earn at least **$27,000/year**.

Median household income in Ames, IA is **$60,102** , about 10% above the comfortable-living threshold.

## Cost of living in Ames, IA

Overall prices in Ames, IA runs below the national average by about 9% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 91.5, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Ames, IA's regional price parities.

| Category | Monthly estimate |
| --- | --- |
| Rent (market average) | $1,137 |
| Utilities | $343 |
| Groceries | $522 |
| Transportation | $818 |
| Healthcare | $399 |
| Other goods and services | $638 |
| Estimated total | $3,857/mo |

Population

66,112

Median household income

$60,102

Census median rent

$1,040/mo

Census rent burden

31.7%

Median age

23.3

Mean commute

16 min

## Methodology

Rent data

We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.

Cost of living

Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.

Salary to live comfortably

We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.

Demographic figures

Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.

Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.

Compare

## Nearby cities in Iowa

How Ames, IA rent compares to other markets in the state.

| City | Avg Rent | vs Ames, IA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [West Des Moines, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/west-des-moines-ia/) | $1,433 | +26% | +1% | 19 |
| [Ankeny, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/ankeny-ia/) | $1,387 | +22% | +12.1% | 14 |
| [Des Moines, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/des-moines-ia/) | $1,301 | +14% | +6.3% | 14 |
| [Boone, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/boone-ia/) | $17,653 | +1453% | +884.1% | 11 |
| [Sioux City, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/sioux-city-ia/) | $1,011 | -11% | -4.2% | 11 |
| [Davenport, IA](https://average-rent.com/city/davenport-ia/) | $792 | -30% | -18.2% | 10 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the average rent in Ames, IA?

The average listed apartment rent in Ames, IA is $1,137 per month, as of November 8, 2026. This sample includes 139 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

### What is the median rent in Ames, IA?

The median asking rent in Ames, IA is $950 per month, computed from 139 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $1,137/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.

### What is the cheapest apartment rent in Ames, IA?

The lowest available rent in Ames, IA starts at $670 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.

### How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Ames, IA?

1-bedroom apartments in Ames, IA average $869/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $670/mo across 43 units tracked.

### How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Ames, IA?

2-bedroom apartments in Ames, IA average $1,081/mo. Units start from $850/mo across 62 units currently listed.

## Rent Trends in Ames, IA

Track how apartment prices are changing over time.

[View Rent Trends](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/)

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