Macon GA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Macon
43.7%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.3 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 15.1% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 30.4% | 19.3% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 19.7% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $67,521 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $34,474 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 22.6% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $304,173 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
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, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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