Cost of Living: Ames, IA vs Norton Shores, MI
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Ames, IA versus $4,268/mo in Norton Shores, MI. In the model, rent is about 15.15% of gross in Ames, IA versus 18.74% in Norton Shores, MI, so Ames, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Ames, IA and Norton Shores, MI.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Norton Shores, MI
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Ames, IA
- Lower home prices: Norton Shores, MI
- Higher median household income: Norton Shores, MI
Cost of Living Index
Ames, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Norton Shores, MI: 100 (U.S. = 100)
Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).
Median Rent
Ames, IA: $988/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Norton Shores, MI: $1,222/mo
Median rent in Norton Shores, MI is $234/mo higher than in Ames, IA.
Median Home Price
Ames, IA: $263,800 · Norton Shores, MI: $214,000
Median home price in Ames, IA is $49,800 higher than in Norton Shores, MI.
Median Household Income
Ames, IA: $60,102 · Norton Shores, MI: $73,390
Norton Shores, MI has a higher median household income than Ames, IA by $13,288.
Ames, IA overview · Norton Shores, MI overview · Popular comparisons