| Index | Marion | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 83 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 52 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 93 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Marion is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Marion is 83, which is 17% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
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 47.8% 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? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Marion, for instance, where the median home price falls 57.9% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 24.2% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Marion flaunting a median household income of $59,805, 26.5% lower than the national norm.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Marion, the groceries index registers 3.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Marion, healthcare costs are 2.6% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
The Marion cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional 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 | $80,122 | $6,677 | $1,869 | $2,404 |
| Renters | $42,094 | $3,508 | $982 | $1,263 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Radnor, OH | 137 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Marseilles, OH | 85 | 79 | 21.4% |
| La Rue, OH | 599 | 81 | 19.1% |
| New Bloomington, OH | 358 | 82 | 17.7% |
| North Robinson, OH | 424 | 83 | 17.3% |
| Marion, OH | 36,920 | 83 | 17.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mount Juliet, TN | 36,915 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Calumet City, IL | 36,968 | 92 | 8.5% |
| Foothill Farms, CA | 36,977 | 124 | 24.1% |
| Randallstown, MD | 36,841 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Oildale, CA | 36,792 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Marion, OH | 36,920 | 83 | 17.1% |