Town in Liberty County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Ames, TX

F

745th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 0 of 100
125th of 125 in the Houston area

Ames earns a grade of F on our index, 745th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

  • Fast-growing
  • Jobs and income scores low (6 of 100)
  • Schools scores low (6 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Ames isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthAmes
Where Ames is in Texas.
Population
1,282+35.5% since 2020
Median rent
$74147% lower than Texas
Median home value
$203,60028% lower than Texas
Household income
$36,188Median
Average commute
24 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Ames

Ames sits about 43 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. 1,282 people lived here in 2025, up 35.5% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2000).

The median age is 39.9, 40% of households have children, 62% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $36,188 a year (54% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Ames

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $741, 47% lower than the Texas median.
  • Growing fast. The population grew 36% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.

Cons of living in Ames

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 5.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Higher unemployment. 7.4% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 25% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 70% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Ames suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 0% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 54% lower than the Texas median, with 1 restaurant and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 70% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $741 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 1% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $741 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for people on a budget.

Ames report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Ames with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D

    Median rent $741, homes cost 5.6x income.

    23 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $36,188, 7.4% unemployed.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    Not enough data.

    6 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 1 restaurant, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D

    Average commute 24 min, 2.8% work from home.

    21 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    9.0% have a bachelor’s degree.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    20% of adults uninsured.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    62% of homes owner-occupied.

    25 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    70% of homes have broadband.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

Where Ames stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $74147% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 24 min8% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 94%43 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.0%25 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Home value to income: 5.6x56% higher than Texas (3.6x)

Cost of living in Ames

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Ames is $741 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $30,000 a year. Right now 94% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $203,600, 28% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,114 before tax, or $1,280 with property tax. That is $539 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Ames pays $1,989 a year, 53% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in AmesStudio$1,2331 bedroom$1,2612 bedrooms$1,4973 bedrooms$2,0174 bedrooms$2,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent47% lower than Texas$741$1,403$1,413
Median home value28% lower than Texas$203,600$283,800$332,700
Home value to income56% higher than Texas5.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent43 points higher than Texas94%52%51%
Median property tax per year53% lower than Texas$1,989$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in themAbout the same as Texas62%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200019921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,280
Mortgage payment
$1,114
Property tax
$166
Median rent, for comparison
$741

Based on a $203,600 home in Ames, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Daily life in Ames

Everyday places mapped inside Ames, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 24 minutes, 8% shorter than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Houston is about 43 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Ames work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $36,188, income per person is $22,169, unemployment is 7.4% and 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
1
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income54% lower than Texas$36,188$78,476$80,734
Income per person46% lower than Texas$22,169$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.4%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line12 points higher than Texas25%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher25 points lower than Texas9.0%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas20%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet21 points lower than Texas70%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute8% lower than Texas24 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.8%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.8%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Ames

Under 1825%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6434%
65 and over17%

Median age 39.9 years. 40% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White0.4%
Hispanic or Latino9.8%
Black82%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race7.4%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Ames

Ames has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 41°F. There are about 101 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 63 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Ames40°60°80°100°64J67F74M79A86M91J93J94A90S83O72N65DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Liberty, 4 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Ames

    Nearby, Liberty gets an F, Daisetta gets a D- and Dayton gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. FLibertyTown, 8,650 people4 mi
    2. D-DaisettaTown, 1,016 people8 mi
    3. FDaytonTown, 9,058 people10 mi
    4. B-Old River-WinfreeTown, 2,448 people13 mi
    5. B+Mont BelvieuTown, 9,020 people15 mi
    6. D+AnahuacTown, 2,892 people19 mi

    Ames in the Houston area

    How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.

    1. 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
    2. 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
    3. 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
    4. 122FPine Island1,321 people42 mito downtown
    5. 123FDayton9,058 people33 mito downtown
    6. 124FColdspring1,274 people58 mito downtown
    7. 125FAmes1,142 people43 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of houston

    Living in Ames: common questions

    Is Ames, TX a good place to live?

    Ames earns a grade of F on our index, 745th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on home ownership and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Ames?

    Median rent in Ames is $741 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $203,600, 28% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 5.6x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,280, including property tax.

    What is the weather like in Ames?

    Summers in Ames peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 41°F. Expect around 101 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 63 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Ames?

    The average one-way commute is 24 min, 8% lower than the Texas average. About 2.8% of workers work from home. It is about 43 miles from downtown Houston.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.