What is the cost of living in Marlin, TX?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Marlin has an overall cost of living index of 80, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Texas, Marlin has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Texas's index of 93.
The standard of living in Marlin ranks as #3 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Marlin ranks as the #416 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.
For more reading on life in Marlin, check out:
Marlin Cost Of Living Vs. Texas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Marlin. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Marlin is 98.
The Groceries index in Marlin is 98.
The Health index in Marlin is 35.
The Housing index in Marlin is 95.
The Transportation index in Marlin is 108.
The Utilities index in Marlin is 96.
| Living Expense | Marlin | Texas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80 | 93 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 35 | 81 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Marlin Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Marlin Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Marlin, TX Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, 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 Marlin is $91,227.
The Median Rent in Marlin is $689.
The Median Income in Marlin is $36,426.
The Home Value To Income in Marlin is 2.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Marlin is 0.23x.
Marlin, TX Costs By Category
Detailed Marlin Services costs vs. Texas
Detailed Marlin Groceries costs vs. Texas
Detailed Marlin Health costs vs. Texas
Detailed Marlin Transportation costs vs. Texas
Marlin SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Marlin
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Marlin. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Waco, TX has a cost of living index of 91, 1.1x Marlin.
Temple, TX has a cost of living index of 95, 1.2x Marlin.
Harker Heights, TX has a cost of living index of 104, 1.3x Marlin.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Marlin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco, TX | 143,570 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Temple, TX | 89,602 | 95 | 1.2x |
| Harker Heights, TX | 34,128 | 104 | 1.3x |
| Belton, TX | 24,356 | 97 | 1.2x |
| Hewitt, TX | 16,432 | 101 | 1.3x |
| Robinson, TX | 12,800 | 99 | 1.2x |
