Cost of Living in Marion, IL: Rent, Income & Home Prices

OKRent takes 23 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,15334% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$61,380about $5,115/month · 30% lower than U.S. average

🔑 House price$158,30052% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,120 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 79 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Marion

$1,153

$2,231

$1,411

$1,009

$1,727

$731

$973

How much do households earn in Marion?

Under $25k

21.6%

$25k–50k

24.0%

$50k–100k

29.9%

$100k–150k

13.1%

$150k+

5.8%

Share of households by yearly income. 18.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Marion

Size	Marion	U.S. average
1 bedroom	$609	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$1,015	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$1,263	$1,698
4 bedrooms	$1,283	$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Marion overall?

Everyday prices in Illinois overall are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).

Housing

Goods (food, clothes…)

104

Utilities

Other services

100

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Marion, so the Illinois figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Marion

🏛️ Property tax$2,761a year · 1.74% of home value · U.S. $3,119

⚡ Electric bill$182a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Marion

Commute to work21.9 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree28.5%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home63.3%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line13.3%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment3.5%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marion?

Buying is cheaper month to month: about $55 a month less than renting.

Renting

$1,153

Owning

$1,098

Owning assumes a typical $158,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,830 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Marion, IL?

Renting in Marion costs a median of about $1,153 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.

How much do I need to make to live in Marion?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,120 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Marion cheap or expensive?

Marion is rated OK: rent takes 22.5% of the typical household income of $61,380. It ranks 79th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Marion?

The median homeowner in Marion pays $2,761 a year in property taxes, about 1.74% of the median home value.

Is Marion more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in Illinois are same as 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 $158,300, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.

16,836 people live in Marion. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is Marion, IL expensive to live in?