What is the cost of living in Marion, NC?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Marion has an overall cost of living index of 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to North Carolina, Marion has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than North Carolina's index of 95.
The standard of living in Marion ranks as #17 most affordable out of the 159 places we measured in North Carolina. By definition, that implies Marion ranks as the #142 most expensive place in the Tar Heel State.
For more reading on life in Marion, check out:
Marion Cost Of Living Vs. North Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Marion. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Marion is 100.
The Groceries index in Marion is 101.
The Health index in Marion is 57.
The Housing index in Marion is 98.
The Transportation index in Marion is 98.
The Utilities index in Marion is 106.
| Living Expense | Marion | North Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 89 | 95 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 57 | 89 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 101 | 100 |
Marion Cost Of Living Compared To North Carolina Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around North Carolina, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In North Carolina
- Most Affordable Cities In North Carolina
- Average Rent In North Carolina
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Marion, NC Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in North Carolina, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Marion is $244,493.
The Median Rent in Marion is $762.
The Median Income in Marion is $51,314.
The Home Value To Income in Marion is 4.8x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Marion is 0.18x.
| Statistic | Marion | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $244,493 | $336,407 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $762 | $1,228 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $51,314 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.8x | 4.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.18x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Marion, NC Costs By Category
Detailed Marion Services costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Marion | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.33 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.07 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $15.89 | $18 |
| Haircut | $28.0 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $48.22 | $45.56 |
Detailed Marion Groceries costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Marion | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.47 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.46 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.61 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.27 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.44 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.44 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.8 | $3.7 |
Detailed Marion Health costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Marion | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $155.11 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $166.73 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $113.89 | $113.29 |
Detailed Marion Transportation costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Marion | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.29 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $49.99 | $59.92 |
Detailed Marion Utilities costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Marion | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $221.84 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $186.82 | $192.25 |
Marion SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Marion
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Marion. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Asheville, NC has a cost of living index of 115, 1.3x Marion.
Boone, NC has a cost of living index of 107, 1.2x Marion.
Morganton, NC has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Marion.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Marion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 94,535 | 115 | 1.3x |
| Boone, NC | 20,032 | 107 | 1.2x |
| Morganton, NC | 17,646 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Hendersonville, NC | 15,408 | 102 | 1.1x |
| Boiling Springs, SC | 12,936 | 96 | 1.1x |
| St. Stephens, NC | 9,457 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Black Mountain, NC | 8,513 | 108 | 1.2x |
| Fletcher, NC | 8,098 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Woodfin, NC | 8,048 | 112 | 1.3x |
| Etowah, NC | 7,968 | 106 | 1.2x |
