Alma, AR vs Marion, AR

Alma is moderately more affordable than Marion, with a 6.2% lower cost of living index. Alma scores 76 compared to 81 for Marion, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Marion can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alma is $992/month compared to $1,058/month in Marion — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alma is more affordable at $197,200 median vs $206,300.

Median household income in Alma is $58,320 compared to $80,637 in Marion (-27.7%). While Marion is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alma spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Marion.