Signals
Greenfield
Ames
Growth
22 · Bottom 11%
vs42 · Bottom 36%
Climate
59 · Bottom 21%
vs57 · Bottom 16%
Physical resilience
60 · Top 44%
vs64 · Top 38%
Housing affordability
82 · Bottom 23%
vs96 · Top 45%
Access
87 · Top 31%
vs79 · Top 46%
Economic stability
67 · Top 30%
vs65 · Top 33%
Measured values
| Metric | Greenfield | Ames | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,944 | 127,134 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $74,907 | $73,127 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,563 | $39,347 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 101/sq mi | 111/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $329,000 | $246,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,177 | $1,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 70.1% | 60.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40.6% | 47.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 15.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 63 | 249 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.9 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -23.2% | -41.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 14°F | 11°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.2" | 35.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 30 mi | 35 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.3 min | 20.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 47.2 | 29.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Greenfield
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane, inland flooding.
Ames
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, cold wave.
Your best match
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Greenfield
63
Your Score
—
Area Score
Ames
67
Your Score
66
Area Score
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Full profiles: Greenfield, MA Micro Area · Ames, IA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology