Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 61,773 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 57.8% | 43.7% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,405 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 64.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 45.7 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.2 min | Kansas City + |
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 501 in Kansas City. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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