Ames, IA vs Normal, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Ames
76.2
#367 nationally
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Ames leads in crime level (4.1 vs 9.0). Normal leads in median household income ($63,965 vs $57,428). Ames leads in average commute (15.8 min vs 17.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ames, IA | Normal, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#367) | 76.8 (#316) |
| Population | 65,686 | 52,618 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $306,337 | $269,069 |
| Median Household Income | $57,428 | $63,965 |
| Average Commute | 15.8 min | 17.2 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 4.1 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+4.9 |
C
76.2 Score
Ames, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$306,337
Population
65,686
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
42
Midwest
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C
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →