Albany GA vs Macon GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Albany +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Albany
18.9%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 61,773 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 18.9% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 76.3% | 30.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Macon
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Macon
$171,916
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $171,916 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Macon
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Macon
1752
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 64.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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