Macon GA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Macon
43.7%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 7.7% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 30.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 9.9% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $64,017 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $37,433 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.1% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 17.3% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 32.7% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $310,519 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 45.7% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 50.8 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Macon, GA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Macon, GAChicago, IL vs Macon, GAHouston, TX vs Macon, GAMacon, GA vs Phoenix, AZMacon, GA vs Philadelphia, PA