Marion, AL vs Meadowbrook, AL
The cost of living difference between Marion, AL and Meadowbrook, AL is dramatic. Marion is 45.3% cheaper than Meadowbrook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Marion has a cost index of 56 while Meadowbrook sits at 103, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.
On the housing front, median rent in Marion is $533/month compared to $1,276/month in Meadowbrook — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marion is more affordable at $108,300 median vs $390,100.
Median household income in Marion is $38,221 compared to $145,464 in Meadowbrook (-73.7%). While Meadowbrook is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marion spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, more than the 10.5% in Meadowbrook.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.6°F vs 63.9°F). Meadowbrook receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 55.4" in Marion.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)