Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Macon
35.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 61,773 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 69.9% | 43.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.0% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 46.8% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 47.2% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 392 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1752 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 64.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 45.7 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 30.2 min | Lexington + |
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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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