Marion, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

Marion is moderately more affordable than West Des Moines, with a 13.1% lower cost of living index. Marion scores 80 compared to 92 for West Des Moines, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Des Moines can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Marion is $978/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marion is more affordable at $230,800 median vs $286,300.

Median household income in Marion is $87,105 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (+2.6%). Marion offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marion spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.9°F). West Des Moines receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.9" in Marion.