Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 61,773 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 41.5% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 34.1% | 30.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $70,086 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $43,074 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 46.8% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 64.6°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 45.7 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 30.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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