What are the schools like in Marion, MI?

Marion is served primarily by Marion Public Schools. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1.

What is the median household income in Marion?

The median household income in Marion, MI is $38,438 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 15.7%.

What is the weather like in Marion, MI?

Marion has an average high temperature of 27.3°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 74.0 inches.

Marion, MI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Marion, MI affordable or expensive?

Marion's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Marion is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $87,800 and the median rent is $581 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Marion, MI?

Crime rate data for Marion is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Marion, MI a Good Place to Live?

Marion is a small town of 653 in Michigan, with a median household income of $38,438 and a 15.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Marion stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Marion is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Marion city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.9

Marion's overall cost of living index is 87.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Marion costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Marion, MI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$87,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$581	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	68.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$38,438	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Marion is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Marion is served primarily by Marion Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Marion, MI	National Avg
School District	Marion Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	8.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Marion sees average highs of 27.3°F in January and 80.4°F in July, with 34.3 inches of annual precipitation and 74.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Marion, MI
Average High — January	27.3°F
Average High — July	80.4°F
Annual Precipitation	34.3"
Annual Snowfall	74.0"

Demographics

Metric	Marion, MI	National Avg
Population	653	—
Median Age	45.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	15.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	96.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.6%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	20.2%	22.2%
65 and over	18.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

McBain, MI 8 mi Falmouth, MI 10 mi Evart, MI 15 mi Tustin, MI 16 mi Le Roy, MI 16 mi

ZIP Codes in Marion

Marion, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

49665

Marion vs Other Cities

Marion, MI vs McBain, MI Marion, MI vs Falmouth, MI Marion, MI vs Evart, MI Marion, MI vs Tustin, MI Marion, MI vs Le Roy, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marion, MI affordable or expensive?

Marion's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Marion roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $87,800 and median rent is $581/month.

What is the crime rate in Marion, MI?

Crime data for Marion is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Marion?

Public schools in Marion are operated by Marion Public Schools. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1. 8.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Marion, MI a good place to live?

Marion, MI has a population of 653, a median household income of $38,438, and an unemployment rate of 15.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Marion?

Marion averages 27.3°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.3 inches with about 74.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Marion?

Marion, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49665.

What is the population of Marion?

The population of Marion, Michigan is 653 with a median age of 45.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Marion?

Key numbers for living in Marion: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $87,800, median household income $38,438, schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Marion side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.