Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 61,773 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 61.0% | 43.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 64.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.7 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
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 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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