Macon GA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Macon
30.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.4 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 6.6% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 31.6% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 7.9% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $55,339 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $39,698 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.8% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 22.6% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 41.9% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $245,988 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 66.6 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Macon, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
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, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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