NAICS 53

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 43.1 (Moderate), ranked #170 of 330 metros. 182 establishments, 952 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 43.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national real estate and rental and leasing average.

📈Rapid Growth

Ames ranks in the lower half for real estate and rental and leasing market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 43.1, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
84.8
LQ: 1.09
Rank #280 of 330 metros
Wage Competitiveness
56.7
$57,062 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 86.1
Employment growth index
Rank #47 of 330 metros
Wage Pressure
17.6
YoY wage change index

182 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Firms in Ames

182
Establishments
+18.2% YoY
952
Total Employment
+6.0% YoY
$57,062
Average Annual Wage
+4.0% YoY
1.09
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's real estate and rental and leasing market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #16/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 43.1 Moderate 35.6 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #170 of 330 metros #16 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Ames

Healthcare and Social Assistance 8.1 Finance and Insurance 24.0 Construction 25.8 Accommodation and Food Services 26.3 Administrative and Support Services 27.4 Retail Trade 28.5 Other Services 31.0 Information 39.9 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46.9

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing in Other Iowa Metros

Cedar Rapids 26.2 #49/330 Sioux City 29.5 #63/330 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 33.0 #85/330 Iowa City 40.0 #136/330 Dubuque 41.3 #154/330 Des Moines-West Des Moines 55.5 #252/330

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Ames's real estate and rental and leasing sector, the industry concentration component (84.8) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.