# Average Rent in Ames, IA & Rent Trends

> 10 Ames, IA buildings, priced daily: this month's average rent is $1,137/mo, with a full price trend for each building since November 2026.

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

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.

Rent prices and market trends across 10 apartment communities in Ames, IA. Prices update after successful source checks.

Area [All Areas](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=all)

Ames [50010](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/50010/?bedrooms=all)[50014](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/50014/?bedrooms=all)

Beds [All Bedrooms](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=all) [Studio](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=0)[1 Bed](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=1)[2 Bed](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=2)[3 Bed](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=3)[4 Bed](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/?bedrooms=4)

Showing any bedrooms in Ames, IA.

Market Average

$1,137/mo

▼ 10.6% from last month

Lowest Available

$670/mo

cheapest unit on market

Communities

10

tracked daily

Units Listed

139

available now

## Rent Watch: cuts and increases

[Open Rent Watch →](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/rent-watch/)

See current options while we confirm new price comparisons. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.

## Rent by Neighborhood in Ames, IA

Compare average rent across Ames, IA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.

| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | 30d Change | From | Properties | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Ames 50014](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/50014/?bedrooms=all) | $1,329 | ▲ $38 | $670 | 4 | 71 |
| [Ames 50010](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/trends/50010/?bedrooms=all) | $935 | ▲ $9 | $695 | 6 | 68 |

## Is Rent Going Up or Down in Ames, IA?

As of November 2026, the average rent in Ames, IA is $1,137 per month across 10 apartment communities and 139 available units. Rents have decreased $135 (10.6%) over the past month.

The most affordable option is [Unique Apartment Homes](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/unique-apartment-homes-ames-ia/) starting at $670/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $738/mo, a 1-bedroom averages $869/mo, a 2-bedroom averages $1,081/mo, a 3-bedroom averages $1,372/mo, a 4-bedroom averages $2,103/mo.

Prices range from $670 to $2,960 per month. The most common price point is the $800 range, where 72 units are currently listed.

## Ames, IA Rent Price History

Timeframe

View as table

| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| July 2026 | $1,036 | - | 10 |
| August 2026 | $1,068 | +$32 | 10 |
| September 2026 | $1,028 | -$40 | 11 |
| October 2026 | $1,089 | +$61 | 12 |
| November 2026 | $1,116 | +$27 | 9 |

The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.

## Average Rent by Bedroom

## Rent Price Distribution

## Rent by Bedroom Type in Ames, IA

Studio

$738

from $695 · 4 units

1 Bed

$869

from $670 · 43 units

2 Bed

$1,081

from $850 · 62 units

3 Bed

$1,372

from $999 · 17 units

4 Bed

$2,103

from $799 · 13 units

## Rent Prices by Apartment in Ames, IA

| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Unique Apartment Homes](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/unique-apartment-homes-ames-ia/) | $670/mo | $1,483/mo | 43 | 3.9 |
| [Riverbirch](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/riverbirch-ames-ia/) | $695/mo | $852/mo | 5 | 4.4 |
| [South Oak](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-oak-ames-ia/) | $695/mo | $836/mo | 13 | 3.7 |
| [South Meadow](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/south-meadow-ames-ia/) | $799/mo | $942/mo | 27 | 4.1 |
| [The Foundry](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/the-foundry-ames-ia/) | $799/mo | $849/mo | 2 | 4.6 |
| [Maple Glen](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/maple-glen-ames-ia/) | $860/mo | $933/mo | 3 | 4.1 |
| [West Towne](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/west-towne-ames-ia/) | $860/mo | $1,213/mo | 13 | 4.3 |

## Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Ames, IA

### 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 rent range can I find in Ames, IA?

The apartment listings we track in Ames, IA range from $670 to $2,960 per month, as of November 8, 2026. These are the lowest and highest listed prices. They are not a typical price for every apartment. The building, floor plan, and lease terms can affect the price.

### Are rents going up or down in Ames, IA?

There is not enough comparable history to report a reliable 30-day rent change for apartment listings in Ames, IA. Missing dates or a change in the buildings we track can prevent a comparison. Missing history does not mean rents stayed flat.

### How much is a studio apartment in Ames, IA?

Studio apartments average $738 per month across 4 priced listings in Ames, IA. Listed rents range from $695 to $860 per month, as of November 8, 2026. Compare apartments with similar floor plans and lease terms.

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

1-bedroom apartments average $869 per month across 43 priced listings in Ames, IA. Listed rents range from $670 to $1,280 per month, as of November 8, 2026. Compare apartments with similar floor plans and lease terms.

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

2-bedroom apartments average $1,081 per month across 62 priced listings in Ames, IA. Listed rents range from $850 to $2,100 per month, as of November 8, 2026. Compare apartments with similar floor plans and lease terms.

### How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Ames, IA?

3-bedroom apartments average $1,372 per month across 17 priced listings in Ames, IA. Listed rents range from $999 to $1,755 per month, as of November 8, 2026. Compare apartments with similar floor plans and lease terms.

### How much is a 4-bedroom apartment in Ames, IA?

4-bedroom apartments average $2,103 per month across 13 priced listings in Ames, IA. Listed rents range from $799 to $2,960 per month, as of November 8, 2026. Compare apartments with similar floor plans and lease terms.

### How do 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom rents compare in Ames, IA?

The 1-bedroom average is $869 per month across 43 listings. The 2-bedroom average is $1,081 across 62 listings, $212 (24.4%) higher. This is a comparison of listing groups, not the cost to upgrade a specific apartment.

### Which tracked building has the lowest starting rent in Ames, IA?

Unique Apartment Homes has the lowest starting rent among the buildings in the comparison table, at $670 per month. We track 43 priced listings matching your bedroom choice in that building, as of November 8, 2026. The starting price applies to its lowest-priced matching apartment. Check that apartment's latest price and availability.

### Which rent range has the most listings in Ames, IA?

The $800 to $1,000 monthly range has the most matching listings: 72 units, or 51.8% of the priced apartments we track in Ames, IA. This count does not tell us how fast the apartments rent.

### How many apartment listings do you track in Ames, IA?

We track 139 priced units at 10 apartment buildings, as of November 8, 2026. This is not the total number of apartments in those buildings. A listing can change or become unavailable. Open the apartment details to check its latest status.

### How much rent history is available for Ames, IA?

We have recorded rent data on 100 days from July 2026 through November 2026 for apartment listings in Ames, IA. Some dates can be missing. The chart only shows recorded data. The current month includes the days recorded so far.

### Why can the headline rent differ from the trend chart in Ames, IA?

The average at the top of the page gives each matching apartment equal weight. The chart first averages recorded prices within each building, then compares buildings. It removes the highest and lowest groups when at least ten buildings contribute and omits days with fewer than five buildings. Different dates, building counts, and listing mixes can produce different figures. The monthly table averages the recorded daily figures.

### Does my bedroom choice change the prices and answers?

Yes. Your chosen area and bedroom count filter the asking rents, listing counts, rent ranges, and answers on this page. The active community exclusions are Student housing and 55+ / senior community and Corporate housing and Military / active duty housing and Veteran housing. When you choose a bedroom count, the history chart uses recorded prices for matching apartments with a known identity. If those records are missing, we leave the chart empty rather than use prices for other bedroom types. Open an individual apartment to check its own price history.

### Do these rents include utilities, parking, and other fees?

We use the published total monthly rent when it is available and the base rent otherwise. Unknown fees are not zero. Utilities, parking, pet charges, deposits, and one-time costs can add to the amount you pay. Check the selected unit and lease terms for a complete quote.

### How should I compare free-rent offers with listed rent?

A free-rent offer can reduce the effective cost over a lease without changing the listed monthly rent. Compare the same lease length and move-in date, then include required charges and the offer conditions. The market averages do not assume an unconfirmed discount.

### Does this page represent every rental in the market?

These figures describe the priced apartment listings we track, not every rental home or every occupied apartment. Coverage and the mix of bedrooms, buildings, and locations can change. A lower market average does not prove that the same apartment received a price cut.

### How fresh are the Ames, IA rent figures?

We schedule rent updates each day, but buildings can have different price-check dates. The latest accepted price check for these listings was November 8, 2026. The month label does not mean we checked every price today. Open the building or apartment details for its latest price and availability.

## 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.

## Explore Ames, IA Apartments

Browse all 10 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.

[Browse All Apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/ames-ia/apartments/) [Find Your Match](https://average-rent.com/quiz/)

## 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

[Iowa Rent Trends](https://average-rent.com/state/iowa/rent-trends/): Compare rent across all Iowa cities

[Explore Ames, IA on Map](https://average-rent.com/search/#city=ames-ia): See neighborhoods and rent data interactively

[US-wide rent comparison](https://average-rent.com/research/median-rent-united-states/): See how Ames, IA rents stack up against the national median

## Google Search Trends for Ames, IA Apartments

Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.

### Search Interest Over Time

[Explore more on Google Trends](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=apartments%20in%20Ames&geo=US&date=today%2012-m)

| Date or category | Average monthly rent (USD) |
| --- | --- |
| 2026-07-14 | 948 |
| 2026-07-17 | 988 |
| 2026-07-18 | 947 |
| 2026-07-19 | 1,013 |
| 2026-07-20 | 995 |
| 2026-07-21 | 995 |
| 2026-07-22 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-23 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-24 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-25 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-26 | 1,053 |
| 2026-07-27 | 1,053 |
| 2026-07-28 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-29 | 1,080 |
| 2026-07-30 | 1,018 |
| 2026-07-31 | 1,087 |
| 2026-08-01 | 1,099 |
| 2026-08-02 | 1,011 |
| 2026-08-03 | 1,017 |
| 2026-08-04 | 1,124 |
| 2026-08-05 | 1,052 |
| 2026-08-06 | 1,092 |
| 2026-08-07 | 1,092 |
| 2026-08-08 | 1,092 |
| 2026-08-09 | 1,034 |
| 2026-08-10 | 1,094 |
| 2026-08-11 | 1,098 |
| 2026-08-12 | 1,030 |
| 2026-08-13 | 1,090 |
| 2026-08-14 | 1,101 |
| 2026-08-15 | 967 |
| 2026-08-16 | 1,071 |
| 2026-08-17 | 1,072 |
| 2026-08-18 | 952 |
| 2026-08-19 | 1,115 |
| 2026-08-20 | 1,103 |
| 2026-08-21 | 1,027 |
| 2026-08-22 | 1,005 |
| 2026-08-23 | 1,108 |
| 2026-08-24 | 1,160 |
| 2026-08-25 | 985 |
| 2026-08-27 | 1,202 |
| 2026-08-28 | 1,046 |
| 2026-08-30 | 1,044 |
| 2026-08-31 | 1,083 |
| 2026-09-01 | 887 |
| 2026-09-02 | 1,048 |
| 2026-09-03 | 1,111 |
| 2026-09-04 | 1,046 |
| 2026-09-05 | 891 |
| 2026-09-06 | 1,124 |
| 2026-09-07 | 1,045 |
| 2026-09-08 | 912 |
| 2026-09-09 | 1,079 |
| 2026-09-10 | 1,088 |
| 2026-09-11 | 983 |
| 2026-09-12 | 1,084 |
| 2026-09-13 | 1,075 |
| 2026-09-14 | 1,023 |
| 2026-09-15 | 1,036 |
| 2026-09-16 | 946 |
| 2026-09-17 | 1,018 |
| 2026-09-18 | 1,064 |
| 2026-09-19 | 926 |
| 2026-09-20 | 992 |
| 2026-09-21 | 1,122 |
| 2026-09-22 | 1,071 |
| 2026-09-23 | 992 |
| 2026-09-24 | 992 |
| 2026-09-25 | 1,135 |
| 2026-09-26 | 1,023 |
| 2026-09-27 | 912 |
| 2026-09-28 | 1,187 |
| 2026-09-29 | 1,014 |
| 2026-09-30 | 1,005 |
| 2026-10-01 | 1,100 |
| 2026-10-02 | 1,036 |
| 2026-10-03 | 1,032 |
| 2026-10-05 | 1,038 |
| 2026-10-06 | 977 |
| 2026-10-07 | 1,003 |
| 2026-10-08 | 1,101 |
| 2026-10-09 | 1,133 |
| 2026-10-10 | 1,114 |
| 2026-10-11 | 1,151 |
| 2026-10-12 | 1,101 |
| 2026-10-15 | 1,271 |
| 2026-10-17 | 1,069 |
| 2026-10-20 | 1,065 |
| 2026-10-21 | 1,067 |
| 2026-10-22 | 1,046 |
| 2026-10-23 | 1,129 |
| 2026-10-24 | 1,129 |
| 2026-10-25 | 1,111 |
| 2026-10-27 | 1,129 |
| 2026-10-30 | 1,069 |
| 2026-11-01 | 1,159 |
| 2026-11-02 | 1,128 |
| 2026-11-04 | 1,165 |
| 2026-11-06 | 1,013 |