Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Marion, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.2% of gross income.
Marion rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Iowa cities have lower median rent than Marion, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Marion
View full rent data for Marion, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Marion, IA?
Median rent in Marion is $1,315 a month. A typical real estate agent in Iowa earns about $60,334 a year, which makes that rent 26.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Marion?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Iowa (~$60,334/yr) supports up to $1,508 a month in rent. Marion's current median rent is $1,315/mo, which leaves a $193/mo buffer.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Marion?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a real estate agent in Iowa works roughly 45.3 hours a month to cover Marion's median rent of $1,315.
Where is rent cheaper than Marion for a real estate agent?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Iowa City ($1,308/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,308/mo), Iowa City ($1,308/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.