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City Report · NC

Marion

Pop. 7,579·112th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,310/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-8.8%
vs US Median
-$655
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Marion · $1,310
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,310/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$52,000/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
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
$15,720/yr
At $1,310/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, -8.8% 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

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

Can you afford rent in Marion on your salary?

At $1,310/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Marion is $1,310/mo as of July 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 31% of local median household income ($51,314/yr), Marion ranks as moderate 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 moderate for renters. At $1,310/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($51,314/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Marion slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,310/mo in Marion. The local median household income is $51,314/yr, meaning the typical Marion household falls short of 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 July 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 #112 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,310/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 $1,310/mo is $655 (33%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #112 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,310/mo, rent takes ~31% of Marion's median household income ($51,314/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Marion 31%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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