Ames

Iowa

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Comparison Matrix

City	Ames View Map
Route	Add at least two cities
General Info
Population	65,060
Center Elevation	942 ft(287 m)
Housing & Wealth
Median Home	$266,556
Median Rent	$1,194
Median Income	$57,428
Rent Burden	25%
Climate & Risks
Days with 5+ Hours of Sun	301 days/yr
Avg. High	60°F
Avg. Low	42°F
Comfort Score	46/100Mixed
Temp Swing	55°F
Annual Precipitation	34"(86 cm)
Annual Snowfall	25"(64 cm)
Air Quality	Typical: 392024 modeled avg · 1 days > 100
Infrastructure & Lifestyle
Safety Score	77 / 100
School Rating	6.8/10
Internet Access	Fiber: 80%Cable: 92%
Demographics
Median Age	23 years
College Educated	63%
Remote Workers	10%
Nature Access
Local Nature & Reserves	Finding...
Scouting & Local Help
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner.	Featured Local Partner AD Your logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Ames Book a scouting trip

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Latest Editorial

New from WhyThere.

Essays and data-led lenses on climate, cost, geography, and the shape of daily life.

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Climate Routes

Phoenix Has an Escape Route. It Is Not Flagstaff.

Prescott offers Phoenicians a meaningful reduction in heat without demanding an alpine life—but the trade brings wildfire, smoke, water, and housing constraints into focus.

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Climate Routes

Where Can Southerners Escape the Heat Without Leaving the South?

Chattanooga, Knoxville, Greenville, and Roanoke offer elevation and latitude without a cultural cross-country move. None offers immunity from heat or flooding.

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Climate Reality

The Hidden Risks Inside America’s Supposed Climate Havens

Asheville, Duluth, Buffalo, and Portland demonstrate why a low score for one hazard is not the same thing as climate safety.

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Climate Capacity

The Great Lakes Have the Water. Can Their Cities Handle the People?

Duluth, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit possess a major climate advantage, but freshwater alone cannot create housing, infrastructure, or equitable resilience.

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