Ames, IA vs Lakeway, TX
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
Lakeway
68.2
#1332 nationally
Lakeway leads in median household income ($154,118 vs $57,428). Lakeway leads in crime level (2.1 vs 4.1). Ames leads in average commute (15.8 min vs 27.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ames, IA | Lakeway, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#367) | 68.2 (#1332) |
| Population | 65,686 | 19,189 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $306,337 | $747,050 |
| Median Household Income | $57,428 | $154,118 |
| Average Commute | 15.8 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 4.1 | 2.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.4 | D+39.3 |
Data coverage note: Lakeway is missing data for 1 metric that Ames has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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
View Ames, IA →
D+
68.2 Score
Lakeway, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$747,050
Population
19,189
Crime
Low
Median Income
$154,118
Southwest
View Lakeway, TX →