Austin, TX vs Marion, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Marion
80.8
#63 nationally
Marion leads in average commute (19.2 min vs 26.8 min). Marion leads in cost of living index (94 vs 129). Austin leads in walk score (42 vs 32).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Marion, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 80.8 (#63) |
| Population | 967,862 | 42,213 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $281,229 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $81,519 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 19.2 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 32 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+9.9 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
B-
80.8 Score
Marion, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,229
Population
42,213
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Midwest
View Marion, IA →