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City · 7,579 residents · McDowell County, North Carolina

Marion , North Carolina

In Marion, a typical home is worth $163,500 and typical rent is $762 a month. Compared with all of McDowell County, typical household income is 10% lower, typical rent is 5% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 24 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $163,500

    4% below the county

    43% below North Carolina

    • Marion
    • McDowell
    • North Carolina

  • Typical rent

    $762a month

    5% below the county

    38% below North Carolina

    • Marion
    • McDowell
    • North Carolina

  • Typical household income

    $51,314a year

    10% below the county

    29% below North Carolina

    • Marion
    • McDowell
    • North Carolina

  • Households that own their home

    51%

    24 points below the county

    15 points below North Carolina

    • Marion
    • McDowell
    • North Carolina

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$238,929
2.9% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,317 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Marion is in McDowell 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 McDowell County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Marion apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 51% of households in Marion own their home, against 76% in McDowell County.

  2. Marion has the 9th lowest typical rent of the 154 cities in North Carolina with more than 5,000 people ($762).

  3. Marion has the 16th lowest typical home value of the 166 cities in North Carolina with more than 5,000 people ($163,500).

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

The detached house is the most common home in Marion: 67% of homes, near the figure in McDowell County (69%).

Year built

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 99% of owner-occupied homes in Marion sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,082 a month

McDowell County: $1,161 a month

Without a mortgage

$339 a month

McDowell County: $328 a month

Owners with a mortgage

52%

McDowell County: 48%

In Marion, 52% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,082 a month, against $1,161 in McDowell County. Without one it drops to $339.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Marion gained value faster than in McDowell County: 83% against 44%.

Rents in Marion rose at about the same pace as in McDowell County: 27% since 2015–2019, against 25%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureMarionMcDowell CountyNorth CarolinaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.6%7.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1.3%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.4%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.272.332.442.53
Drive alone 81%83%72%69%
Carpool 15%9%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate6%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in McDowell County, a household in Marion has 2.27 people on average.

More people carpool to work in Marion than in McDowell County: 15% against 9%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

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 $163,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income in Marion, which is $51,314 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $55,898 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McDowell County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Marion. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,723 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,304

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$160,538
Total interest
$230,977
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,761 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,197 a month

  • Tight

    $1,197 to $1,539 a month

    Your payment · 31%

  • Hard

    more than $1,539 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Marion ($51,314 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,304
Principal & interest$1,088
Property tax$76
Home insurance$68
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$72

You need at least $5,723 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Marion and McDowell County

Marion is in McDowell County, North Carolina. 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's own numbers

Typical home value
$163,500
Typical monthly rent
$762
Typical yearly household income
$51,314
Households that own their home
51%
Effective property tax rate
0.56%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of McDowell County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,012
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+65%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.2%

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 McDowell County.

Everything about McDowell County

Buying

Buying a home in Marion

A typical home in Marion is worth $163,500: 4% below the county and 43% below North Carolina. With the typical household income in Marion ($51,314 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 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.

  • Marion 3.2 years
  • McDowell 3.0 years
  • North Carolina 4.0 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in McDowell County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in McDowell County rose 117% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of McDowell County.

Period County North Carolina U.S.
Last year (2025) −1.8% +2.5% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +65% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +117% +107% +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 McDowell County, North Carolina and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Marion $163,500
  • McDowell $171,100
  • North Carolina $288,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Marion $762
  • McDowell $806
  • North Carolina $1,228
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Marion $51,314
  • McDowell $57,168
  • North Carolina $72,388
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Marion next to McDowell County and North Carolina
Measure Marion McDowell County North Carolina U.S.
Typical home value $163,500 $171,100 $288,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $762 $806 $1,228 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $51,314 $57,168 $72,388 $80,734
Households that own their home 51% 76% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $922 $911 $1,896 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.56% 0.53% 0.66% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 43% 40% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below McDowell 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 $163,500 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 $1,304a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,723
    Cash to close
    $10,628
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $72

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,274a month

    Down payment
    $8,175
    Cash to close
    $13,080
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $78

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,031a month

    Down payment
    $32,700
    Cash to close
    $37,605
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,182a month

    Down payment
    $24,525
    Cash to close
    $29,430
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Marion and for McDowell County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Marion

0.56%of the home’s value each year

$922 a year for the typical owner in Marion.

  • Marion 0.56%
  • McDowell 0.53%
  • North Carolina 0.66%

What North Carolina publishes Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion (North Carolina General Assembly (statute))

Exemptions and deadlines in North Carolina

Flood risk in McDowell County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of McDowell County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.2%
463
Of those, with NFIP insurance
24%
County North Carolina U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.2% 2.8% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 24% 53% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Marion

Typical rent in Marion is $762 a month: 5% below the county. In Marion, 43% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of McDowell County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,012 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.46 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of McDowell County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $864 $16.62 $34,560
1 bedroom $910 $17.50 $36,400
2 bedrooms $1,012 $19.46 $40,480
3 bedrooms $1,289 $24.79 $51,560
4 bedrooms $1,330 $25.58 $53,200

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 28752.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,010: $2 less than the fair market rent for McDowell County ($1,012).

  • 28752 $1,010$1,290

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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Marion

HUD lists 10 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Marion. These are the largest.

  • Harrison Terrace 90 Harrison Ter, Marion 28752 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Blue Ridge Terrace 100 Carson St, Marion 28752 60 low-income homes · For older adults (828) 652-4373
  • Phillip's Ridge 200 McDowell High Dr, Marion 28752 60 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2020 · For families
  • Spaulding Woods Apartments 838 Spaulding Rd, Marion 28752 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2002 · For families
  • Winningham Village Apts 220 California Ave, Marion 28752 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · In service since 1997 · For older adults

See all 10 buildings in McDowell County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Marion

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.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in McDowell County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man leans over the armchair to help a teenage girl with her book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Marion

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Marion or McDowell County. The ones below are statewide in North Carolina: they work in Marion the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in North Carolina

  • NC Home Advantage Mortgage

    Statewide in North Carolina

    NCHFA fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, in North Carolina. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

    Statewide in North Carolina

    A fixed amount of NCHFA down payment assistance for first-time buyers and veterans in North Carolina. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

    Statewide in North Carolina

    NCHFA interest-free loan with deferred payments of up to 25% of the price (maximum $50,000) for the down payment of low- and moderate-income buyers in North Carolina; you apply through a member organization. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Marion

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Marion, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Wnc, Inc. - DBA - Ontrack Financial Education & Counseling

    50 S French Broad Ave, Asheville · 32 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (828) 255-5166

  • Western Piedmont Council of Governments

    1880 2nd Ave NW, Hickory · 36 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 3 more
    (828) 322-9191

  • Cleveland County Community Development Corporation

    823 W Warren St, Shelby · 37 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 11 more
    (704) 480-7701

All counseling agencies in North Carolina

Help in Spanish near Marion

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Marion

HUD lists no housing authority with an office in McDowell County. One in a neighboring county or the state’s may serve the area.

All housing agencies in North Carolina Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Marion, with the typical home value.

Everything about McDowell County Housing in North Carolina

Neighboring counties

If McDowell County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Marion.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Marion

Short answers with the numbers for Marion and all of McDowell 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 $163,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in McDowell County it is $171,100.

How much does it cost to rent in Marion?

Typical rent in Marion is $762 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in McDowell County is $1,012.

What is the FHA loan limit in Marion?

Marion uses the FHA limit for all of McDowell 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 $922 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.56% of the home’s value; in McDowell County, the rate is 0.53%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Marion?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in McDowell County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).