Macon GA vs Memphis TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 7.4% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 25.0% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 10.2% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $51,211 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $32,314 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.3% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 22.5% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 28.2% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 46.0% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 54.9 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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