Cost Of Living in Marion, NC

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12%

Overall NAT. AVG.

2%

Groceries NAT. AVG.

44%

Housing NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index	Marion	North Carolina	National
Cost of living	88	96	100
Groceries	102	100	100
Health care	99	99	100
Housing	56	88	100
Transportation	100	99	100
Utilities	97	99	100
Lifestyle & Entertainment	106	100	100
Household Items	102	100	100
Education & Childcare	102	100	100

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Homes For Sale In Marion, NC

1267 Jacktown Rd

Marion, NC

0 Cedar Brook Ln Unit 13B & 15

Nebo, NC

5 Cedar Brook Ln #5

Nebo, NC

71 Browns Crossing Dr

Marion, NC

See the Newest Homes For Sale In Marion, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

The cost of living in Marion is 9% lower than the North Carolina average
The cost of living in Marion is 12% lower than the national average
Marion housing is 44% lower than the national average
North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index
Lifestyle index
Household index
Educare index

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$67,065	$5,589	$1,565	$2,012
Renters	$49,079	$4,090	$1,145	$1,473

To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Marion, NC, 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 $67,065. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,565 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $49,079, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,145.

North Carolina Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
North Carolina	4.75%	7.5%

North Carolina Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
North Carolina	4.75%	4.75%

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Old Fort, NC	769	87	13.0%
West Marion, NC	1,128	90	9.7%
Glen Alpine, NC	1,996	91	9.0%
Marion, NC	8,099	88	12.4%

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Grand Blanc, MI	8,098	95	5.1%
Gold River, CA	8,100	158	58.3%
Marengo, IL	8,096	97	3.1%
Newton, NJ	8,102	117	16.6%
McGregor, FL	8,095	123	23.0%
Marion, NC	8,099	88	12.4%