In Marion, a typical home is worth $241,700 and typical rent is $961 a month. Compared with all of Linn County, the typical home value is 13% higher and typical household income is 12% higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $228,859 to $279,729.
Typical rent
$1,287a month
▲ 12.8% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $913 to $1,287.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Marion is in Linn County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Linn County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Anamosa, the typical home value is $172,600: 29% less than in Marion ($241,700).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Marion
What homes there are in Marion, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
66%
67%
72%
61%
Attached house
9%
5%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
6%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
15%
19%
14%
19%
Mobile home
4%
3%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
As in Linn County, most homes in Marion are detached houses (66%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
17%
27%
38%
26%
1960–1979
20%
26%
24%
24%
1980–1999
21%
20%
17%
25%
2000–2009
19%
14%
11%
14%
2010 or later
23%
13%
11%
11%
The typical home in Marion was built in 1994, 16 years after the typical one in Linn County.
In Marion, 71% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in Linn County (64%).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K6%
$100K–$200K30%
$200K–$300K28%
$300K–$500K30%
$500K–$750K6%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Under $100K
6%
$100K–$200K
30%
$200K–$300K
28%
$300K–$500K
30%
$500K–$750K
6%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for Linn County is $541,287, and about 94% of owner-occupied homes in Marion are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99945%
$1,000–$1,49925%
$1,500–$1,99912%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
45%
$1,000–$1,499
25%
$1,500–$1,999
12%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,770 a month
Linn County: $1,584 a month
Without a mortgage
$744 a month
Linn County: $693 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
Linn County: 65%
Owning costs more in Marion: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,770 a month; in Linn County, $1,584. Without one, $744.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Marion+43%
Linn County+37%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Marion+33%
Linn County+24%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Marion+20%
Linn County+20%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+43%
+37%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+33%
+24%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+20%
+20%
+24%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Marion rose 43%; in Linn County, it rose 37%.
The typical rent in Marion rose 33% over the same time; in Linn County, it rose 24%.
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 20%, while home values changed +43% and rent +33%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Marion and its comparisons
Measure
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
9.4%
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.45
2.35
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
72%
76%
76%
69%
Carpool
6%
6%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
19%
15%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Marion look like those in Linn County: 2.45 people on average.
Many people here do not commute at all: 19% work from home; in Linn County, 15%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Marion?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Marion, worth $241,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income in Marion, which is $86,743 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $93,078 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Linn County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Marion. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $8,460 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,172
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$237,322
Total interest
$341,450
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,082 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,024 a month
Tight
$2,024 to $2,602 a month
Your payment · 30%
Hard
more than $2,602 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Marion ($86,743 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,608
Property tax
$357
Home insurance
$101
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$107
You need at least $8,460 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,172; principal and interest $1,608.
The city and its county
Marion and Linn County
Marion is in Linn County, Iowa. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Marion
Map of Linn County, Iowa, with Marion marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Marion
Linn County
Other cities with a page
Marion's own numbers
Typical home value
$241,700
Typical monthly rent
$961
Typical yearly household income
$86,743
Households that own their home
77%
Effective property tax rate
1.77%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Linn County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,054
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+38%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.2%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Linn County.
A typical home in Marion is worth $241,700: 13% above the county and 16% above Iowa. With the typical household income in Marion ($86,743 a year), a typical home costs 2.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Marion2.8 years
Linn2.8 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Linn County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Linn County rose 56% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Linn County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Linn County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +1.6% +1.6% 2016
2017: +2.8% +2.8% 2017
2018: +3.3% +3.3% 2018
2019: +2.9% +2.9% 2019
2020: +2.1% +2.1% 2020
2021: +9.0% +9.0% 2021
2022: +10.6% +10.6% 2022
2023: +7.2% +7.2% 2023
2024: +3.6% +3.6% 2024
2025: +3.0% +3.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Linn County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.0%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+38%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+56%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Marion next to Linn County, Iowa and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Marion$241,700
Linn$214,300
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Marion$961
Linn$945
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Marion$86,743
Linn$77,649
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Marion next to Linn County and Iowa
Measure
Marion
Linn County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$241,700 ▲13% above the county
$214,300
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$961
$945
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$86,743 ▲12% above the county
$77,649
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
77% ▲4 points above the county
74%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,280 ▲21% above the county
$3,547
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.77% ▲0.11 points above the county
1.66%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54% ▲10 points above the county
45%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Linn County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Marion
For a typical $241,700 home in Marion, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Marion's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,172a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,460
Cash to close
$15,711
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $107
Conventional, 5% down$2,128a month
Down payment
$12,085
Cash to close
$19,336
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $115
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,767a month
Down payment
$48,340
Cash to close
$55,591
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,991a month
Down payment
$36,255
Cash to close
$43,506
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Marion
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,172
$8,460
$237,322
7.18%
FHA MIP · $107
$15,711
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,128
$12,085
$229,615
7.18%
PMI · $115
$19,336
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,767
$48,340
$193,360
7.18%
None
$55,591
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,991
$36,255
$205,445
8.18%
None
$43,506
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Marion is $961 a month: about the same as the county. In Marion, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Linn County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,054 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.27 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Linn County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$734
$14.12
$29,360
1 bedroom
$806
$15.50
$32,240
2 bedrooms
$1,054
$20.27
$42,160
3 bedrooms
$1,459
$28.06
$58,360
4 bedrooms
$1,762
$33.88
$70,480
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Marion
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Marion is in ZIP code 52302.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,030: $24 less than the fair market rent for Linn County ($1,054).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Marion, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
52302
$720
$790
$1,030
$1,430
$1,720
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
52302 $1,030$1,430
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Marion when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Marion. These are the largest.
Chapel Ridge of Marion1 Chapelridge Cir, Marion 52302144 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 104 · 3 bd: 72 · 4 bd: 8 · In service since 2005 · For families
The Arbor at Lindale Trail1362 Blairs Ferry Rd, Marion 5230270 homes, 60 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 58 · In service since 2016 · For older adults
Blairs Ferry Senior830 Blairs Ferry Rd, Marion 5230260 homes, 57 low-income · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 39 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
Hilltop Manor439 Lindale Dr, Marion 5230254 homes, 53 low-income · For older adults(319) 373-8696
Oak Village Senior Residences101 S 11th St, Marion 5230246 low-income homes · For older adults(319) 377-1347
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Linn County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Marion or Linn County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Marion the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Iowa state authority's FirstHome mortgage, a first-time buyer can get a second loan of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or up to 5% (maximum $15,000), with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
Iowa state authority second loan, with the Homes for Iowans mortgage, of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or 5% (maximum $15,000) for the down payment and closing costs; no monthly payments, and for any buyer.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Marion or Linn County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Marion and all of Linn County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Marion?
The typical home value in Marion is $241,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Linn County it is $214,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Marion?
Typical rent in Marion is $961 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Linn County is $1,054.
What is the FHA loan limit in Marion?
Marion uses the FHA limit for all of Linn County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Marion?
The typical homeowner in Marion pays $4,280 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.77% of the home’s value; in Linn County, the rate is 1.66%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Marion?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Linn County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
