Marion, NC vs Heber Springs, AR: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Heber Springs, AR has a modeled overall cost index 12.7% lower than Marion, NC.

Marion, NC · modeled 2BR rent
$950 / month
Heber Springs, AR · modeled 2BR rent
$950 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Marion, NC and Heber Springs, AR using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $809/month in Heber Springs, AR

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $140,298 in Heber Springs, AR

Regional cost estimates: Marion, NC uses Charlotte, NC. Heber Springs, AR uses Memphis, TN. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 12.7%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$809
Savings
Annual Impact
$9.7K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Marion, NC

Population:7K
Cost Index:
82.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$229K

Heber Springs, AR

Population:7K
Cost Index:
72.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$243K

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Marion, NC

The Tar Heel State

7K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 7K residents.

Heber Springs, AR

The Natural State

7K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Arkansas, this city has a population of 7K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Marion, NC vs Heber Springs, AR

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 26.4%
Marion, NC
$2,235
Heber Springs, AR
$1,645
Difference
$590
less
Healthcare
↓ 18.1%
Marion, NC
$695
Heber Springs, AR
$569
Difference
$126
less
Groceries
↓ 5.8%
Marion, NC
$1,078
Heber Springs, AR
$1,016
Difference
$62.33
less
Other
↓ 3.5%
Marion, NC
$1,717
Heber Springs, AR
$1,658
Difference
$59.53
less
Transportation
↑ 1.8%
Marion, NC
$1,209
Heber Springs, AR
$1,231
Difference
$22.02
more
All Utilities
↑ 1.3%
Marion, NC
$566
Heber Springs, AR
$573
Difference
$7.46
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$790
To$680
↓ $110
1 Bed
From$790
To$730
↓ $60.00
2 Bed
From$950
To$950
→ $0
3 Bed
From$1,190
To$1,220
↑ $30.00
Marion, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $790–$790/mo

Heber Springs, ARZIP-level data

1BR range: $730–$730/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Marion, NC
$6,691
Monthly in Heber Springs, AR
$809
Difference

Home Values

Marion
Heber Springs
$229K
Median Value
$243K
↓ -3%
YoY Change
↑ +4.2%
↑ +29.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +43.1%

Homes in Heber Springs are 6% more expensive than Marion

Calculate payment - MarionCalculate payment - Heber Springs

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $1.9K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$158
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.3%
Rate difference

Marion, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

Heber Springs, AR

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Arkansas State Tax
Effective: 6.0%
$9.0K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.7%
$46.0K
Take-Home Pay
$8,664/month
$104.0K

Additional Tax Information

Marion, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

Heber Springs, AR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.4%
Property Tax:0.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Marion
Heber Springs
51 Moderate
Air Quality
55 Moderate
46.2%
Good Air Days
34.4%
97 High
Climate Risk
99 High
🌊🌪💨
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🫨
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
36 days
Heat Days >95°F
54 days
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
36 days
Heat Days >95°F
54 days

Before moving from Marion, NC to Heber Springs, AR

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Heber Springs, AR for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Marion, NC. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Marion to Heber Springs moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Heber Springs, AR by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Marion, NC vs Heber Springs, AR

How do the cost estimates for Marion, NC and Heber Springs, AR compare?

Heber Springs, AR has a modeled overall cost index 12.7% lower than Marion, NC. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Marion, NC, the model estimates $140,298 in Heber Springs, AR. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Marion, NC and Heber Springs, AR?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $950/month in Marion, NC and $950/month in Heber Springs, AR. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between North Carolina and Arkansas on TaxTakeHome.com

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