raising vs. limping preflop

If you're in late position with a marginal hand, and everyone or almost everyone folds to you (the ones who don't limp), is it better, on average, to raise some amount (and how much? 2-3x BB?) to avoid letting the blinds see for free, and perhaps to even blind-steal? Or should you just limp and see the flop on the cheap? Probably too many variables (the players, table image, etc.) to really have this be a generality, but I was wondering..)

Ring or Tourney? How big are the blinds? What is your hand?

Ring. Let's say reasonably small blinds compared to your stack / the stacks of the players (.25/.50 with ~ $17?) with a generally loose/passive table... with something like Axs, Q9s..

Limp behind limpers, or open it to around 3x the BB.