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City Report · NC

Marion

Pop. 7,579·121st most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,210/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.6%
vs US Median
-$752
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Marion · $1,210
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,210/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$48,000/yr
Local median income
$51,314/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
$790
1 BR
$840
2 BR
$940
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,260
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$940/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,210 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
$14,520/yr
At $1,210/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Marion, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,579
Median income
$51,314
Median age
39.1
Renters
48.7%
Age distribution
19.1%
22.6%
29.8%
16.5%
Under 1819.1%
18–3422.6%
35–5429.8%
55–6412%
65+16.5%
Gender
52.1%
47.9%
Male52.1%
Female47.9%
Race & ethnicity
65.2%
19.8%
White65.2%
Black11.3%
Hispanic19.8%
Asian4.6%
Education (25+)
20%
37.7%
26.8%
15.6%
No HS diploma20%
HS diploma37.7%
Some college26.8%
Bachelor's+15.6%
Housing tenure
51.3%
48.7%
Owner51.3%
Renter48.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Marion, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,580 → $51,314
up 23.4%
Population
7,703 → 7,579
down 1.6%
Renter share
48.2% → 48.7%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
16.1% → 15.6%
-0.5 pts
Median age
40.5 → 39.1
-1.4 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $41,580 in 2021 to $51,314 more recently. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 7,703 residents to roughly 7,579.

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 $1,210/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, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Marion is $1,210/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $840/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($51,314/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 affordable for renters. At $1,210/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($51,314/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 $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,210/mo in Marion. The local median household income is $51,314/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 North Carolina?

Marion is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #121 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,210/mo.

What percentage of Marion residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.7% of Marion households are renters, while 51.3% 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 $1,210/mo is $752 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #121 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,210/mo, rent takes ~28% of Marion's median household income ($51,314/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Marion 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Marion affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Marion, NC

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