Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 61,773 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 59.2% | 43.7% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 46.8% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 64.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 30.2 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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