2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ottumwa, IA vs Marion, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Marion older or younger than people in Ottumwa?
- The Median Age in Marion is 1.6 years older than in Ottumwa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Marion or Ottumwa?
- Marion housing costs are 137.5% more expensive than Ottumwa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Marion or Ottumwa?
- The average commute for residents of Marion is 3.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of Ottumwa.

Things to do in Ottumwa?
Ottumwa, IA is a charming city located in Wapello County. With an estimated population of 25,000 people, Ottumwa has something special for everyone. From outdoor activities like fishing and hiking to cultural attractions like the American Gothic House–there's always something new to explore in this lively city. Residents also benefit from easy access to quality public and private schools as well as excellent healthcare facilities. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation—Ottumwa has something special for everyone!

Things to do in Marion?
Marion, Iowa is located in Linn county giving its citizens access to top rated schools such as Jefferson High School while also having shopping options at Lindale Mall and numerous restaurants such as Grub Burger Bar

 Ottumwa, IAMarion, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock41,023329,725,481
 Median Income$48,198  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$97,700  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.38  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ottumwa    5 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Ottumwa has a seemingly high rate of theft-related crimes as well as drug use which I'm sure correlates to the incidences of assault. For a community of 20-30,000, the  More

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Over 16 years ago

ottumwa, Iowa has no diverse culture. It is not very open especially when it comes to branching out to new ideas of others culture...The idea of culture here is the pro  More

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Over 17 years ago

Pros: 1. Extremely low cost of living and housing 2. Affordable place to live Cons: 1. High crime rate 2. Very poor school system 3. Economically depressed 4.  More

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Reviews for Marion    3 Reviews

I've lived in Marion for ~22 years now, and it has its pros (+) and cons (-): + Marion is one of the safest places to live in the country. + The cost of living vs  More

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Over 15 years ago

Marion is clean, affordable and has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. The people here are friendly and helpful. Marion shares a border with Cedar Rapids  More

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Marion is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa. We have a highly educated workforce, affordable housing, low crime and excellent education. Plus, there is much  More

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