City Comparison
Marion vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marion
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Marion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marion's average rent is
32% higher than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Marion | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $1,845 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marion offers 17% higher 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 Marion is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Marion | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Marion sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marion | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.40°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 35.10 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 260 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Waterloo 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 | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x 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 | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Waterloo
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and local real estate data
Average commute times are short, reducing daily travel stress
Abundant outdoor recreation options including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Strong local healthcare presence with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health facilities
Rich cultural amenities such as the Grout Museum District and Lost Island Waterpark
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions can be challenging for residents
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan areas
Property taxes in Black Hawk County can be relatively high
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates
Job market heavily relies on a few major industrial employers
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
Waterloo
#366Iowa, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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