Macon GA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%

Miami Gardens, FL

Florida · Population: 11,627

  • Median HH Income$137,873
  • Median Home Price$472,888
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+64.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Macon
61,773
Macon +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Macon
43.7%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Miami Gardens
15.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Miami Gardens
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +

Which City is Right for You?

Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Macon & Miami Gardens