| Index | Marion | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 89 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 94 | 100 |
The cost of living in Marion affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Marion is 94, which is 6% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Marion are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Marion can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
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 4.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24.5% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Marion boasting a median household income of $109,229, 34.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Marion, the transportation index is 5.3% lower than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Marion, is 10.7% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The Marion cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $136,244 | $11,354 | $3,179 | $4,088 |
| Renters | $51,257 | $4,271 | $1,196 | $1,538 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Stone City, IA | 62 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Prairieburg, IA | 168 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Martelle, IA | 317 | 86 | 14.3% |
| Central City, IA | 1,254 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Springville, IA | 1,245 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Marion, IA | 41,096 | 94 | 5.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 41,077 | 139 | 38.7% |
| La Puente, CA | 41,123 | 144 | 44.2% |
| Calexico, CA | 41,129 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Quincy, IL | 41,163 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Montclair, CA | 41,014 | 139 | 38.5% |
| Marion, IA | 41,096 | 94 | 5.8% |
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