Marion 68 Good
Marion Livability #68 ranked city in Alabama#9,346 ranked city in the USARanks better than 68% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Marion

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Marion?

Marion, Alabama is a smaller city with a population of 3,260 people. With a total of 66%, the Black or African American racial group makes up the majority of the population in Marion. The next most represented races are 34% White and 0% Asian. Marion is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 35% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Marion is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 11 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Marion could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Marion and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 65 out of 100, Marion is ranked #12,536 in the United States and #109 in Alabama. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Marion ranks well for crime (B+) and cost of living (A+) On a less positive note, Marion does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), education (F), employment (F) and housing (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Marion has a violent crime rate of 0 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Marion, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Marion real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Marion. Median real estate prices in Marion come in at $159,289, which is 32.4% lower than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Marion, the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 25% higher than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Marion

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      Marion transportation information

      Statistic Marion Alabama National
      Average one way commute11min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.3%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk9.2%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home0.5%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Marion, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.