Marion, IA vs Owatonna, MN
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.
Marion
80.8
#63 nationally
Owatonna
77.3
#258 nationally
Marion leads in walk score (32 vs 25). Marion leads in crime level (3.4 vs 4.1). Owatonna leads in average commute (16.6 min vs 19.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Marion, IA | Owatonna, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#63) | 77.3 (#258) |
| Population | 42,213 | 26,534 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,229 | $302,747 |
| Median Household Income | $81,519 | $78,295 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 16.6 min |
| Walk Score | 32 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 4.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.9 | R+24.5 |
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 →
C+
77.3 Score
Owatonna, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$302,747
Population
26,534
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Midwest
View Owatonna, MN →