Macon GA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 5.5% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 27.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 4.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $55,687 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $32,068 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.5% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 20.9% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 33.5% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 52.8 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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