Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 61,773 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 66.9% | 43.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.0% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,405 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 47.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 392 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1752 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 64.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.7 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.2 min | Des Moines + |
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, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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