Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 61,773 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 49.9% | 43.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 30.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 47.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | 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
Columbia
34.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 64.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 30.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, 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 Columbia. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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