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Quality of Life in Story County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
13% below national average
99%
The Real Cost of Living in Story County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $16k | $31k |
| Comfortable | $47k | $70k |
| Luxury | $125k+ | $193k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $156k+ | $242k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Story County, Iowa, offers a broad quality-of-life spectrum anchored by the college town of Ames and stretching through a ring of smaller agricultural communities and open farmland. The county attracts a diverse population: university students and faculty drawn to Ames’s walkable, amenity-rich core; families and commuters seeking affordable homes in quieter towns like Nevada or Story City; and agricultural workers and retirees who prefer the low-density, self-sufficient lifestyle of rural areas such as Cambridge or Zearing. With a cost-of-living index of 87 (100 is the U.S. average) and an average commute of just 18 minutes, the county provides a rare balance of urban convenience and rural tranquility.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Ames is the county’s undisputed population and economic hub, home to Iowa State University and roughly 66,000 residents. Daily life here revolves around the university campus, the bustling Main Street cultural district, and extensive parks like Ada Hayden Heritage Park. The city offers a dense mix of restaurants, breweries, live music venues, and a strong bike network. Housing is relatively affordable by national standards—median home value $243,600, median rent $1,019—but prices are notably higher than in the county’s smaller towns. Nevada, the county seat with about 6,800 people, provides a quieter alternative with a historic downtown square, a strong school system, and direct access to U.S. Highway 30 for a 15-minute commute to Ames. Story City, with roughly 3,500 residents, is known for its Scandinavian heritage, the Story City Carousel, and a growing residential base that appeals to families wanting small-town character within 20 minutes of Ames.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Beyond the main population centers, Story County contains several smaller incorporated towns that each offer distinct lifestyles. Gilbert (pop. ~1,100) is a fast-growing bedroom community just north of Ames, prized for its highly rated Gilbert Community School District and new housing developments. Huxley (pop. ~3,300) sits along Interstate 35 and combines a historic downtown with modern subdivisions, attracting commuters who work in Ames or Des Moines. Slater (pop. ~1,500) and Sheldahl (pop. ~300) are quiet, tree-lined villages where residents enjoy large lots and a slower pace. Cambridge (pop. ~850) and Zearing (pop. ~550) are classic Iowa farm towns with grain elevators, volunteer fire departments, and a strong sense of neighborly self-reliance. Unincorporated areas like Ontario and Fernald offer true rural living with minimal services, where residents rely on wells, septic systems, and longer drives for groceries and medical care.
Cost & lifestyle range
The cost of living varies significantly across Story County. At the high end, Ames commands a premium for its walkable neighborhoods near campus (e.g., the Old Town or Somerset districts), where median home values can exceed $300,000 and rents approach $1,200 for a two-bedroom. At the low end, Zearing and Cambridge offer median home values around $150,000–$180,000 and rents under $800, making them among the most affordable places in central Iowa. Lifestyle differences are equally stark: Ames residents enjoy a full calendar of university events, farmers markets, and public transit, while those in Nevada or Story City trade some amenities for lower taxes, larger yards, and shorter commutes to work or school. Rural residents in Fernald or Ontario accept a 20–30 minute drive to the nearest grocery store or hospital in exchange for privacy, acreage, and a slower rhythm of life. The county’s average commute of 18 minutes means even the most remote homes are rarely more than 25 minutes from Ames’s employment and shopping centers.
Story County is best suited for people who value choice and proximity. College students and young professionals thrive in Ames’s energetic, walkable environment. Families and remote workers find a sweet spot in towns like Gilbert or Huxley, where good schools and affordable housing meet a short drive to urban amenities. Retirees and agricultural workers gravitate toward the smaller towns and rural pockets for lower costs and a tight-knit community. The county’s mix of university energy, historic small towns, and open farmland ensures that nearly any lifestyle preference—from urban to rural, from high-amenity to self-sufficient—can be accommodated within a 20-minute radius.
Crime in Story County
Generally safer than 69% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Story County, Iowa, reports a violent crime rate of 230.6 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,167 per 100,000, placing it in a middle tier for safety within the state. While these figures are lower than the national average, they are elevated compared to many of Iowa’s smaller, more rural counties. The county’s safety profile is heavily influenced by its largest city, Ames, home to Iowa State University, which drives both population density and certain crime patterns. Residents in smaller towns like Nevada, Story City, and Huxley generally experience fewer incidents, though property crime remains a concern countywide.
Crime in context
Story County’s violent crime rate of 230.6 per 100,000 is roughly 35% below the national average of 380 per 100,000, but it is notably higher than the statewide Iowa average of approximately 210 per 100,000. Property crime in Story County, at 1,167 per 100,000, also sits below the national figure of 1,954 per 100,000 but exceeds the Iowa state average of about 1,050 per 100,000. The disparity is largely driven by Ames, which accounts for the majority of the county’s reported offenses. By contrast, towns like Gilbert and Slater report significantly lower crime rates, often with violent crime incidents numbering in the single digits annually. The county’s overall numbers are comparable to those of Johnson County (home to Iowa City) but are substantially lower than Polk County (Des Moines), which posts rates near 400 per 100,000 for violent crime.
What residents experience
For most residents, property crime—particularly theft and burglary—is the most likely safety concern. Bicycle theft, package theft, and vehicle break-ins are common near the Iowa State University campus and in Ames’s Campustown area. Violent crime is less frequent but includes aggravated assault, robbery, and occasional incidents tied to domestic disputes or alcohol-fueled altercations. The county’s criminal justice system operates under the Story County Attorney’s Office, which has pursued progressive policies in recent years, including diversion programs and reduced sentencing for certain nonviolent offenses. Critics argue that these lenient approaches contribute to repeat offenses and a revolving-door effect for property criminals, particularly in Ames, where offenders may face minimal jail time. Residents in Nevada and Story City report feeling safer overall, with tighter-knit communities and less transient population pressure. The Ames Police Department and Story County Sheriff’s Office maintain visible patrols, but response times in outlying areas like Colo or Zearing can exceed 15 minutes.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety varies significantly within Story County. Ames’s west side and north side neighborhoods, including areas near North Grand Mall and Somerset, see higher property crime rates due to retail density and student housing. The downtown Ames area and Campustown are hotspots for theft and public intoxication incidents. In contrast, Huxley, Gilbert, and Slater consistently report the lowest crime rates in the county, often with violent crime rates below 100 per 100,000. Nevada, the county seat, experiences moderate property crime but maintains a lower violent crime rate than Ames. The rural unincorporated areas of the county are generally very safe, though agricultural theft—such as equipment and fuel theft—occurs periodically. For families and retirees, the smaller towns offer a notably safer daily experience, while Ames requires more vigilance, especially near campus and commercial corridors.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-20T11:39:32.000Z
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