Marion, AR vs Mena, AR

The cost of living difference between Marion, AR and Mena, AR is dramatic. Mena is 30.5% cheaper than Marion, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Marion has a cost index of 81 while Mena sits at 62, 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 $1,058/month compared to $720/month in Mena — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mena is more affordable at $114,200 median vs $206,300.

Median household income in Marion is $80,637 compared to $50,875 in Mena (+58.5%). 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 Marion spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17% in Mena.