salaryRent is lower than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.2 minutes. Most homes (77.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $39,280 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 32 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Marion?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Marion
| Size | Marion | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $703 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,171 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,630 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,233 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Marion overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Marion, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Marion
Life in Marion
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marion?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $695 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $241,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Marion, IA?
Renting in Marion costs a median of about $982 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Marion?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $39,280 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Marion cheap or expensive?
Marion is rated Cheap: rent takes 12.6% of the typical household income of $93,552. It ranks 32nd cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Marion?
The median homeowner in Marion pays $4,280 a year in property taxes, about 1.77% of the median home value.
Is Marion more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Marion?
The median home value in Marion is $241,700, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
41,896 people live in Marion. Numbers are typical (middle) values.