City Comparison
Cedar Rapids vs Marion
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cedar Rapids
Marion
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cedar Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Marion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cedar Rapids's average rent is
10% lower than Marion's.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Marion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,126 | $1,250 | -10% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,126 | $2,150 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cedar Rapids offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cedar Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cedar Rapids is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Marion.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,087 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 98,986 idx | 73,118 idx |
| Household Income | $70,424 | $84,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Marion sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.50°F | 14.40°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 35.10 in |
| Snowfall | 23.80 in | 24.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 265 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Cedar Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cedar Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cedar Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Marion.
From a growth perspective, Marion is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Marion has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,264 | 42,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cedar Rapids
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing being a major contributor.
Affordable housing market with a median home price well below the national average and a competitive market for sellers.
Strong and growing economy with significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, creating job opportunities.
Low crime rates and a strong safety profile, with violent crime rates below the national average.
High quality of life with well-run city services, a focus on community, and national recognition for livability and affordability.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as public transportation and walkability scores are moderate, making personal vehicles essential for most residents.
While growing, the job market may not offer the same high-paying specialized roles found in larger metropolitan areas, though specific high-paying sectors like healthcare exist.
The city's economy, while growing, is heavily influenced by manufacturing and agriculture, which can be subject to broader economic fluctuations.
Despite overall affordability, rent-to-income ratios can be a concern for some households, with a significant portion of income potentially allocated to housing.
The city has experienced natural disasters, such as the 2020 derecho, which, while demonstrating resilience, can impact infrastructure and community well-being.
Marion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional public school performance across the Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Community School Districts.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety rankings relative to national standards.
Robust local economy anchored by the Cedar Rapids metropolitan employment and industrial base.
Extensive park system and growing recreational trail network, including the CeMar Trail connection.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Iowa state property tax rates can be relatively high for homeowners compared to other states.
Winter weather conditions bring cold temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 24 inches annually.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition during peak spring and summer markets.
Limited late-night entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cedar Rapids
#197Iowa, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,126
Avg Salary
$89,087
Cost Index
90
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Marion
#21Iowa, USA
73.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
75
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