Is Ames a good place to retire?
Healthcare access is a real strength here. Take a closer look at how the seasons may feel day to day.
What it may cost
Start with the local estimate. Traveler and couple budgets show how the monthly total can change.
Local monthly estimate
$2,971
- Traveler estimate
- $4,133
- Couple estimate
- $4,352
- Typical 1BR rent
- $927
- Cost pressure
- Good
Everyday life
Nearby air service can make family visits simpler. The age mix includes a smaller 50+ community.
20.4%
Residents age 50+
- Walkability
- Moderate
- Median broadband
- 330 Mbps
2 / 5
A car will likely make everyday errands easier.
Plenty for video calls and streaming.
- Family visits
- Airport connected visit
Getting the care you need
Hospital access and everyday care both look strong.
1
Hospitals nearby
- Healthcare access
- Very Good
- Country life expectancy
- About 78.9 years
- Primary care
- Very Good
- Pharmacy access
- Very Good
Understanding safety
Violent crime looks better; property crime is the part to examine more closely.
Overall safety
Good
3.0 / 5
- Violent crime
- Very Good
- Property crime
- Very Good
Living through the seasons
Summers are the easier season. Winter comfort deserves a closer look.
Overall climate comfort
Moderate2.4 / 5
Summer
85°F
Average high
27 days/year above 90°F
4.1 / 5 · Very Good
Winter
16°F
Average low
148 days/year below freezing
1 / 5 · Poor
Air quality
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Retirement fit
Why it may fit
A move feels more comfortable when care, costs, seasons, and the places you go each day work together.
Reasons it may fit
- Healthcare access is rated very good.
- 1 hospitals within 12 km are nearby.
- Primary care access is rated very good.
What to plan for
- The local monthly estimate is $2,971, including a typical 1BR rent of $927.
- Summer comfort is rated very good; the average summer high is Warm · 85°F and 27 days/year are above 90°F.
- Review both crime measures: Very Good for violent crime and Very Good for property crime.
Questions retirees ask
What should I budget for retirement in Ames?
The current local-resident estimate is $2,971 per month, with a typical 1BR rent of $927. Treat it as a planning starting point and compare the detailed cost categories with your own housing, travel, and healthcare needs.
How is healthcare access in Ames?
Healthcare access is rated very good, with 1 hospitals within 12 km nearby. Primary care access is rated very good. Insurance, appointment availability, and the drive from home still matter.
What are the seasons like in Ames?
Summer comfort is very good, with an average high of Warm · 85°F and 27 days/year above 90°F. Winter comfort is poor, with an average low of 16°F / -9°C.
Could this place work for you?
People who value easy access to care may find a lot to like here. Compare it with the places already on your shortlist before deciding.
Sources
These sources list the public figures used for Ames. Local context links describe its parks, food, culture, history, and other place specific details.
- U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Used for Estimated Monthly Budget (Traveler), Estimated Monthly Budget (Local Resident), Estimated Monthly Budget (Couple), Cost Pressure
- U.S. Census Bureau
Used for Typical 1BR Rent
- OpenStreetMap healthcare amenities static probe
Used for Healthcare Access, Primary Care Access
- FEMA RAPT / HIFLD Hospitals
Used for Hospitals Within 12 km
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services NPPES NPI Registry
Used for Pharmacy Convenience
Checked 2026-07-19
- FBI Crime Data Explorer
Used for Violent Crime Level, Property Crime Level
Checked 2024-12-31
- NOAA/NASA source-backed climate component formula
Used for Climate Comfort, Summer Heat, Winter Comfort
- Open-Meteo / Copernicus CAMS, checked against U.S. EPA AirData
Used for Air Quality
Checked 2026-05-18
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Walkability Index
Used for Walkability Estimate
Checked 2026-07-10
- U.S. Census Bureau
Used for Age 50+
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Used for Medicare-Listed Geriatric Medicine Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Cardiology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Medical Oncology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Neurology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Ophthalmology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Endocrinology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Pulmonary Disease Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Nephrology Clinicians in City, Medicare-Listed Rheumatology Clinicians in City
Checked 2026-07-13
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