Rent vs. Buy in Marion County, IL

Should you rent or buy in Marion County? Here are the numbers.

Median Home Price

$96,200

Median Rent

$734/mo

Price-to-Rent Ratio

10.9x

Homeownership Rate

73.8%

Monthly Cost Comparison

Buying (20% down, 6.5% rate)

Mortgage (P&I)$486
Property Tax$139
Insurance$32

Total Monthly$657

Renting

Monthly Rent$734
Renter's Insurance$25

Total Monthly$759

In Marion County, buying is approximately $77/mo cheaper than renting (before equity buildup and tax benefits).

About Marion County, Illinois

Marion County in Illinois has a median household income of $59,099 and an effective property tax rate of 1.7%. With a price-to-rent ratio of 10.9x, buying is likely more cost-effective for long-term residents.

These are starting estimates based on county-level medians. Your actual costs depend on the specific property, your credit score, down payment, and dozens of other variables. Our Monte Carlo simulation models 10,000 scenarios to give you probability-weighted answers, not single-point estimates.

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Other Counties in Illinois

County-level data from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 5-Year Estimates. Additional sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Housing Finance Agency. Estimates are based on county-level medians and may not reflect specific neighborhoods or property types. This is not financial advice — consult a licensed professional before making housing decisions.