Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 61,773 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 53.6% | 43.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $57,405 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 47.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 392 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1752 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 45.7 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 30.2 min | Indianapolis + |
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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA