Columbus OH 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 61,773 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 53.3% | 43.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 45.7 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. 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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