Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Marion, IA

    Is Marion a good place to live?

    Watch Marion

    Marion ranks #6 of 19 Iowa cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (64/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.7% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $230,800
    +10.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $978
    per month
    Household income
    $87,105
    median
    Unemployment
    3.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Marion

    The median home value in Marion is $230,800 and median rent is $978 a month, against a median household income of $87,105. Homes cost about 2.6× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Marion crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Iowa the 2025 rate was 238 violent and 1,205 property crimes per 100,000 people — #40 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Marion, IA

    Marion has about 41,690 residents, 3.4% unemployment and 28% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Marion with

    Marion vs Des MoinesMarion vs Cedar RapidsMarion vs DavenportMarion vs Sioux CityMarion vs Iowa CityMarion vs AnkenyMarion vs West Des MoinesMarion vs Waterloo

    More: Where to move in Iowa · Best counties in Iowa

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report