Macon GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 14.6% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 36.1% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 15.2% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $60,698 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $37,669 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.4% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 22.0% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 34.6% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $233,814 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 48.5 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Macon, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 34.5 min | Macon + |
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, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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