Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Macon
18.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 61,773 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 22.9% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 30.2 min | Houston + |
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 442 in Houston. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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