Land and home values in Story County, Iowa
Story County (metro core, Ames, IA) covers 573 square miles and 27 census tracts. Residential land is about $7.27 per sq ft at the county median, from $2.41 in its most rural tracts to $8.55 in its most valuable. The typical home is worth about $314,000 and a 2-bedroom rents for about $1,180 a month, as of October 12, 2026.
Open on the satellite mapAll of IowaCounty values
| Land: residential | $7.27 | per sq ft |
| Land: residential | $316,507 | per acre |
| Land: quarter-acre lot | $79,127 | 10,890 sq ft |
| Land: farmland | $12,400 | per acre |
| Home: typical (median) | $314,000 | value |
| Home: entry-level | $226,000 | lower quartile |
| Home: upper-end | $419,000 | upper quartile |
| Build new | $194 | per sq ft, no land |
| Rent: 1-bedroom | $1,050 | per month |
| Rent: 2-bedroom | $1,180 | per month |
| Rent: 3-bedroom | $1,650 | per month |
| Rent: 4-bedroom | $1,980 | per month |
| Gross yield, 2-bed | 4.5% | a year |
Price tiers
| Tier | Tracts | Land $/sq ft | Typical home | Rent 2-bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tier | 2 | $9.98 | $467,000 | $1,270 |
| Upper | 6 | $7.71 | $360,000 | $1,320 |
| Mid | 11 | $7.27 | $278,000 | $1,100 |
| Entry | 4 | $4.98 | $214,000 | $1,040 |
| Rural | 4 | $2.41 | $236,000 | $1,120 |
Tiers rank neighborhoods by home value within each metro area; outside metro areas they follow how built-up the land is. They describe prices only.
Cities and towns
Highest-value places
| Place | Type | Land $/sq ft | Typical home |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Forks | Subdivision | $9.17 | $430,000 |
| Nature's Crossing | Subdivision | $9.01 | $422,000 |
| The Social West Ames Reserve | Subdivision | $8.67 | $407,000 |
| Western Hills | Subdivision | $8.55 | $399,000 |
| Gilbert | Town | $8.53 | $302,000 |
| Tripp Street Apartments | Subdivision | $8.51 | $402,000 |
| Cameron Pines | Subdivision | $8.42 | $359,000 |
| Northridge Parkway | Subdivision | $8.41 | $401,000 |
Questions people ask
How much is land worth in Story County, IA?
Residential land in Story County, IA is about $7.27 per square foot, or $316,507 an acre, as of October 2026. A quarter-acre lot (10,890 sq ft) is about $79,127. Smaller lots sell for more per square foot and large tracts for less.
What is the typical home value in Story County, IA?
The typical (median) home in Story County, IA is worth about $314,000, with entry-level homes around $226,000 and upper-end homes around $419,000, as of October 2026.
How much is rent in Story County, IA?
A 2-bedroom rents for about $1,180 a month in Story County, IA, a 1-bedroom about $1,050 and a 3-bedroom about $1,650 (gross rent including utilities, HUD Fair Market Rent basis).
How much is farmland per acre in Story County, IA?
Farmland averages about $12,400 an acre in Story County, IA (USDA, including buildings), well below residential land.
Is this an appraisal?
No. Indicative values for screening, budgeting and negotiation, not an appraisal. For lending, a tax appeal or legal use, hire a state-licensed or certified appraiser.