Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 61,773 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 39.3% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 46.7% | 30.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Macon
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 47.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Macon
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Macon
1752
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
40.3%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 64.6°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.2 min | Columbus + |
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 392 in Columbus. 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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