Marion 61 Average
Marion Livability #896 ranked city in Illinois#17,434 ranked city in the USARanks better than 40% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

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.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

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.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

  • 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?

Located in the state of Illinois, Marion is a medium-sized city with a population of 18,022 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Marion is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Marion, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Marion is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like cost of living, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Marion and in the areas around Marion is a much easier task.

Marion has a livability score of 62 out of 100 and is ranked #852 in Illinois and #16,245 in the USA. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Marion ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Marion. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F) and education (F).

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Marion has an unemployment rate of 2.7% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Marion apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Marion is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Marion come in at $222,980, which is 27.7% lower than the Illinois 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 3.4, which is 2.9% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Marion

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Compare Marion, IL Livability

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      Marion transportation information

      Statistic Marion Illinois National
      Average one way commute23min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.3%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home5.7%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Marion, IL 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.