2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Marion, NC vs Highlands, NC

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Highlights
Are people in Highlands older or younger than people in Marion?
- The Median Age in Highlands is 19.7 years older than in Marion.

Are housing costs cheaper in Highlands or Marion?
- Highlands housing costs are 261.2% more expensive than Marion housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Highlands or Marion?
- The average commute for residents of Highlands is 1.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Marion.

Things to do in Marion?
Marion, NC is a wonderful place to live, with a rich culture and plenty of activities to do. The city has a variety of shops, restaurants, parks and recreational activities, ranging from hiking and biking to swimming and fishing. It has many unique attractions such as the McDowell County Historical Museum, Grandfather Mountain State Park, and the Catawba River. The town also offers a wide array of educational opportunities ranging from elementary school through college. The community is friendly and welcoming as well as safe and secure with low crime rates compared to other cities in North Carolina. There are also wonderful places for families to gather like the local farmers market or just take in some of the beautiful scenes that Marion offers.

Things to do in Highlands?
Living in Highlands, NC is an absolute dream. With its charming downtown area and breathtaking mountain views, it's easy to see why so many people choose to call this small town home. The community is incredibly welcoming and it's not hard to make friends or find a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of outdoor activities perfect for all ages, from hiking trails that offer stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque lakes for fishing and swimming. Residents also enjoy a range of excellent restaurants, boutique shops, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. All in all, Highlands is a wonderful place to call home!

 Marion, NCHighlands, NCUnited States
 Population  Unlock1,105329,725,481
 Median Income$41,580  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock60.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$219,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.49  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Marion    1 Reviews

Before the economy went bad, I was trying to live in Marion. I called on a place to rent. The owner did not want children living in her unit. I didnt know that  More

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Reviews for Highlands    4 Reviews

Love BestPlaces, but most of their statistics are incorrect for the actual town of Highlands which is extremely expensive. I assume they are using information from Macon  More

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Over 4 years ago

This used to be a quaint, quiet, sweet little town, but it has ballooned into a rich man's Mecca. Fist of all, it's a tiny town... so parking is at a premium and it gets  More

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Over 14 years ago

I have run two businesses in Highlands. It is a very seasonal business trend. The rents are high and so is the cost of doing business, including labor cost, cost of  More

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