City Comparison
Marion vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marion
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Marion.
| Metric | Marion | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,162 | +8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $90 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,082 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marion offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Marion is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Marion | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marion runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marion comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marion sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marion | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Marion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marion | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x 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 | Marion | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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