City Comparison
Clinton vs Marion
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Marion
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clinton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Marion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clinton's average rent is
32% lower than Marion's.
| Metric | Clinton | Marion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,250 | -32% |
| Groceries | $360 | $380 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $2,150 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marion offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marion delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Marion.
| Metric | Clinton | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 73,118 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $84,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Marion sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 50.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 14.40°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 35.10 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 24.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 265 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Clinton | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Marion is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Clinton.
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 | Clinton | Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 42,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
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.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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