Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 61,773 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 65.5% | 43.7% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.0% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $70,086 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $43,074 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,405 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 12.7% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 46.8% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 47.2% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 392 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 64.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 45.7 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 30.2 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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