Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 61,773 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 11.7% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 76.8% | 30.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Macon
$171,916
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $171,916 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 47.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.7 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.2 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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