A+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
47%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Marion Ohio National
Cost of living8692100
Goods & Services105100100
Groceries99101100
Health care8698100
Housing5373100
Transportation100100100
Utilities9499100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Marion, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Marion allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Marion stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Marion stands out by reporting housing costs that are 47.2% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.

Is Marion Affordable?

Is Marion affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Marion, the median home price is 57.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 22.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Marion boasting a median household income of $40,223, 27.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Marion?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Marion, the healthcare costs are 14.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Marion, the transportation index is 0.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Marion cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marion is 6% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Marion is 14% lower than the national average
  • Marion housing is 47% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marion

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Compare Marion, OH Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$54,059$4,505$1,261$1,622
      Renters$28,314$2,360$661$850
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Marion, OH, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Marion have a median income of $54,059. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,261 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $28,314, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $661.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 0% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.45$24.263.3%
      Beauty Salon $39.83$45.5612.6%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.5%
      Movie $11.62$12.134.2%
      Bowling $11.78$18.0034.6%

      Groceries

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.83$4.932.1%
      Pizza $11.74$12.092.9%
      Beer $10.79$10.413.6%

      Health Care

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $82.43$125.6834.4%
      Doctor $123.67$135.788.9%
      Dentist $92.00$113.2918.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.24$10.653.9%
      Lipitor $421.83$468.6010.0%

      Housing

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Home Price $77,800.00$184,700.0057.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,797.82$2,346.6923.4%
      Apartment Rent $737.00$949.0022.3%

      Transportation

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.3%
      Tire Balancing $64.21$59.927.2%

      Utilities

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $180.12$193.997.2%
      Phone $184.90$192.253.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Radnor, OH131955.3%
      Marseilles, OH828118.7%
      La Rue, OH5818416.3%
      New Bloomington, OH3458514.9%
      Waldo, OH3628217.9%
      Marion, OH36,0118613.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Franklin, WI36,01311110.9%
      West Kelowna, BC36,030n/a 
      San Juan Capistrano, CA35,97618484.1%
      Lauderdale Lakes, FL36,063973.2%
      Panama City, FL35,952963.7%
      Marion, OH36,0118613.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.