High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Macon
43.7%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 61,773 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 46.1% | 43.7% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 30.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.2% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 64.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 30.2 min | High Point + |
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 398 in High Point. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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