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City Report · IA

Marion

Pop. 41,896·15th most expensive in Iowa·Marion rents are up 22.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,278/mo
Year-over-Year
+22.9%
Month-over-Month
+2.7%
vs US Median
-$687
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Marion · $1,278
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
35/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Marion's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,278/mo
Expected by trend
$1,187/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Marion's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$640
1 BR
$720
2 BR
$940
3 BR
$1,320
4 BR+
$1,580
Research median
$940/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,336/yr
At $1,278/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 22.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+22.9% YoY, +2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Marion, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 38.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
41,896
Median income
$86,743
Median age
40.6
Renters
22.6%
Age distribution
25.4%
16.7%
28.4%
18%
Under 1825.4%
18–3416.7%
35–5428.4%
55–6411.6%
65+18%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
87.6%
White87.6%
Black2.6%
Hispanic2.8%
Asian2.1%
Other4.9%
Education (25+)
21.9%
36.2%
38.1%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma21.9%
Some college36.2%
Bachelor's+38.1%
Housing tenure
77.4%
22.6%
Owner77.4%
Renter22.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Marion, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$980 → $1,278
up 30.4%
Income
$75,927 → $86,743
up 14.2%
Population
41,023 → 41,896
up 2.1%
Renter share
22.6% → 22.6%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
36.7% → 38.1%
+1.4 pts
Median age
39.3 → 40.6
+1.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Marion, IA paid around $980 a month. That figure now sits near $1,278, up 30.4% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $86,743 today, compared with $75,927 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Marion, IA adding about 873 residents over the five-year window, up 2.1% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Marion rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Marion on your salary?

At $1,278/mo, how Marion rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Marion rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Marion. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Marion

About renting in Marion, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Marion is $1,278/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $640/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $720/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,320/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($86,743/yr), Marion ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 22.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Marion an affordable city for renters?

Marion is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,278/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($86,743/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Marion falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Marion?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,278/mo in Marion. The local median household income is $86,743/yr, meaning the typical Marion household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Marion?

Rent in Marion has increased 22.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Marion rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Marion is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #15 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,278/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Marion?

Coralville is nearby and more affordable at $1,263/mo, which is $15 less than Marion.

What percentage of Marion residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.6% of Marion households are renters, while 77.4% are owner-occupied. Marion leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Marion rent compare to the national average?

Marion's median rent of $1,278/mo is $687 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #15 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,278/mo, rent takes ~18% of Marion's median household income ($86,743/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Marion 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Marion affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Marion
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Marion, IA

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