Macon GA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
New Bedford
100,731
New Bedford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Macon
43.7%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 100,731 | New Bedford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.0 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 43.7% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 30.4% | 6.0% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.5% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $56,025 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $30,475 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.6% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.9% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 16.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $439,767 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 40.0% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 51.9 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
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, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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