Rents are right about where Marion's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,113 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Marion is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2023.
Rent in Marion changed +5.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($56,912) is $1,423 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,400); a 4-bedroom is $1,520.
Carbondale, 16 miles away, rents for 40% less ($673/mo), about $5,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Marion. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Marion, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Marion, IL has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $46,515 to $56,912 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.4% shift. About 36.7% of households rent today, against 38.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 25.5% to 28.5%.
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Can you afford rent in Marion on your salary?
At $1,113/mo, how Marion rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Marion rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Marion. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Marion
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Marion is $1,113/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,020/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $780/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($56,912/yr), Marion ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Marion?
Is rent going up or down in Marion?
How does Marion rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Marion?
At $1,113/mo, rent takes ~23% of Marion's median household income ($56,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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