Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 61,773 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 58.4% | 43.7% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $70,086 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $43,074 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 64.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.2 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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