Marion, NC vs St. Pauls, NC

Marion, NC and St. Pauls, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Marion scores 63 while St. Pauls scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Marion is $687/month compared to $774/month in St. Pauls — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marion has cheaper rent, St. Pauls actually has lower median home values ($118,300 vs $131,100).

Median household income in Marion is $44,472 compared to $33,667 in St. Pauls (+32.1%). 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 18.5% of their income on rent, less than the 27.6% in St. Pauls.