Macon GA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Macon
30.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 12.2% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 39.1% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 12.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $62,789 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $35,740 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 15.5% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 28.0% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $313,219 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Macon, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
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 398 in North Charleston. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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