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Featured local agent — Ames, IA
Sarah Mitchell
Compass Real Estate · Ames, IA
“Your trusted relocation specialist since 2009. 350+ homes sold. Zero-pressure, data-first approach.”
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Ames, IA Housing Market & Real Estate
Housing market overview · Updated monthly ·
$321,000median sale price
How is the Ames, IA housing market right now?
The median home sale price in Ames, IA is $321,000, down 1.2% year-over-year. Homes sell in an average of 15 days with 90 active listings. The market is currently a seller's market. (Source: Redfin monthly MLS data, as of May 2026 — the most recent Redfin release; Redfin publishes each month's data on a ~6-week lag.)
Is Ames a buyer's or seller's market?
Ames, IA is currently a seller's market, based on 1.5 months of supply and homes selling in about 15 days. How we determine this →
Homes sold
61
Last 12 weeks
Days on market
15
Fast-moving
Active listings
90
1.5 months supply
Sale-to-list
99.1%
Below asking
What does the Ames housing market data show?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price | $321,000 |
| Median list price | $372,000 |
| Year-over-year price change | -1.2% |
| Average days on market | 15 days |
| Active inventory | 90 listings |
| Months of supply | 1.5 months |
| Sale-to-list price ratio | 99.1% |
| Median price per sq ft | $239/sq ft |
| Homes sold (latest month) | 61 |
| New listings (latest month) | 72 |
| Listings with a price cut | 38.9% |
| Market condition | Seller's market |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
How much do homes cost in Ames by property type?
How the Ames, IA market breaks down across single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
| Property type | Median price | Price / sq ft | Homes sold | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | $397,000 | $239/sq ft | 43 | 28 days |
| Condo / Co-op | $187,500 | $281/sq ft | 12 | 8 days |
| Townhouse | $257,000 | $230/sq ft | 4 | 7 days |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
The Ames housing market is currently classified as a seller's market with a median sale price of $321,000. Prices have fallen 1.2% compared to last year, with homes spending an average of 15 days on market, indicating 1.5 months of inventory.With limited inventory, homes sell quickly and buyers should be prepared to act decisively and competitively to secure a property.The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x provides context for how home values compare to local earning capacity.
Homes for sale in Ames
There are currently 90 homes listed for sale in Ames, Iowa. The median listing price is $372K.
Active listings
90
Homes on market
Median list price
$372K
Avg. days on market
15
Days until sale
New this week
72
Newly listed
Who lives in Ames?
Population
66,112
Median income
$60,102/yr
Median age
23.3 years
Owner-occupied
42.9%
College grads
63.5%
Avg commute
16 min
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
What are homes worth in Ames?
Zillow home value
$307,551
Zillow rent index
$1,125/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
22.8x
Price-to-income
5.1x
Source: Zillow Research
What is it like to live in Ames?
Ames is a community of approximately 66K residents with a median age of 23.3 years.The median household income is $60,102, which represents a working-class community with solid middle-income opportunities. 63.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a highly educated population.
Homeownership rates are at 42.9%, showing a blend of owner and renter-occupied properties. The average commute time is 16 minutes, which makes this an excellent choice for those seeking short commutes to employment centers.Overall, Ames offers a balanced lifestyle with accessible home values relative to local income levels.
Which public schools serve Ames?
8 schools tracked · 4,701 students
The largest public schools serving Ames, IA by enrollment, drawn from the National Center for Education Statistics. School quality is a commonly cited factor in home-buying decisions — these are the campuses families in this area are most likely to encounter.
Ames High School
Grades 9-12 · 1,427 students
Ames Middle School
Grades 6-8 · 1,032 students
Fellows Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 518 students
Edwards Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 439 students
Sawyer Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 375 students
Meeker Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 365 students
Mitchell Elementary School
Grades K-5 · 296 students
Northwood Pre-School
Grades PK-K · 249 students
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data directory. Updated annually. Ratings and test scores are not currently displayed.
Which cities are near Ames, IA?
Want a head-to-head view? Compare Ames side-by-side with any other U.S. city using our market-comparison tool.
Is Ames a good real estate investment market?
For investors evaluating Ames, the price-to-rent ratio of 22.8x indicates higher purchase prices relative to rental income, typical of appreciation-focused markets. The market has softened 1.2% year-over-year, potentially creating entry opportunities for strategic buyers.Use our rent vs. buy calculator to analyze whether owning or renting makes more financial sense based on Ames's current market conditions and your specific situation. Estimate your monthly payment with the mortgage calculator using Ames's median home price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Ames?
The median home sale price in Ames is $321,000, down 1.2% from last year.
How long do homes stay on market in Ames?
Homes typically spend 15 days on market before going under contract.
What is the median income in Ames?
The median household income is $60,102 per year.
Is Ames a buyer's or seller's market?
With 1.5 months of supply, Ames is currently a seller's market.
What is the Zillow home value estimate for Ames?
The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for Ames is $307,551, representing the typical home value in the area.
What is the median condo price in Ames?
The median condo/co-op sale price in Ames, IA is $187,500, compared to $397,000 for a single-family home, based on the latest Redfin data.
How much does a single-family home cost in Ames?
The median single-family home price in Ames, IA is $397,000 (about $239 per square foot).
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