Macon GA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Macon
43.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Macon
30.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 43.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $527,542 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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