What is the average apartment size in Ames?

The average size for a Ames, IA apartment is 965 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.

What is the average rent in Ames?

As of Oct / 2025, the average rent in Ames is $1,333 per month, a 4.28% increase from last year’s average of $1,278.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Ames?

In Ames, studios rent for $897 per month, one-bedroom units average $940 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $1,189 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $1,730 per month

What is the average apartment size in Ames?

The typical apartment in Ames offers about 965 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Ames?

Studio apartments in Ames average 453 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 657 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 937 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,265 sq. ft.

Ames, IA Rental Market Trends

Q: What's the typical rent budget in Ames?

The typical rent budget in Ames ranges from $1,001 to $1,500 per month, with 37% of rentals in this range.

Q: Do most people rent or own in Ames?

In Ames, 57% of households rent while 43% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Ames is $1,333, a 4.28% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,278.

Studio Apartments at $897 offer the most budget-friendly option with 453 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 657 square feet for $940, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-beedroom units at $1,189 offer 937 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,265 sq ft) for $1,730, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Ames, IA

Last updated: November 18, 2025

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$1,333	965 sq. ft.
Studio	$897	453 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$940	657 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$1,189	937 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$1,730	1,265 sq. ft.

Ames, IA rent trends

Rental prices in Ames, IA have increased by 4.28% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,278 to $1,333.

What's the typical rent budget in Ames, IA?

The largest share of rentals in Ames, IA (37%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.

Do most people rent or own in Ames, IA?

14,530 or 57% of the households in Ames, IA are renter-occupied while 10,915 or 43% are owner-occupied.

Access comprehensive real estate data and information on Yardi Matrix

How Ames Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Ames	$1,333
Des Moines	$1,090
West Des Moines	$1,237
Waukee	$1,361
Davenport	$1,007
Ankeny	$1,366
Council Bluffs	$1,251
Iowa City	$1,527
Clinton	$1,372
Johnston, IA	$1,352
Grimes, IA	$1,278
Urbandale, IA	$1,030
Altoona, IA	$1,281
Pleasant Hill, IA	$989
Clive, IA	$1,220

Where this data comes from

The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Ames apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.

Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.