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City Report · IL

Marion

Pop. 16,836·130th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,065/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
-$897
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Marion · $1,065
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,065/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$43,000/yr
Local median income
$56,912/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Marion's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$760
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$1,020
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,520
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,020/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,065 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,780/yr
At $1,065/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
16,836
Median income
$56,912
Median age
42.2
Renters
36.7%
Age distribution
21%
16.9%
26.5%
12%
23.5%
Under 1821%
18–3416.9%
35–5426.5%
55–6412%
65+23.5%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
85.6%
White85.6%
Black8.3%
Hispanic2.7%
Asian2.8%
Other0.7%
Education (25+)
30.8%
34.8%
28.5%
No HS diploma5.9%
HS diploma30.8%
Some college34.8%
Bachelor's+28.5%
Housing tenure
63.3%
36.7%
Owner63.3%
Renter36.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Marion, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,515 → $56,912
up 22.4%
Population
16,960 → 16,836
down 0.7%
Renter share
38.4% → 36.7%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
25.5% → 28.5%
+3.0 pts
Median age
40.5 → 42.2
+1.7 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Marion

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

Can you afford rent in Marion on your salary?

At $1,065/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, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Marion is $1,065/mo as of August 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 22% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Marion an affordable city for renters?

Marion is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,065/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($56,912/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 $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,065/mo in Marion. The local median household income is $56,912/yr, meaning the typical Marion household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Marion?

Rent in Marion has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Marion rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Marion is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #130 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,065/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Marion?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Marion ($1,065/mo): Carbondale ($699/mo), Herrin ($938/mo), Cape Girardeau ($956/mo).

What percentage of Marion residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.7% of Marion households are renters, while 63.3% 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 $1,065/mo is $897 (46%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #130 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,065/mo, rent takes ~22% of Marion's median household income ($56,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Marion 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Marion affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Marion, IL

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