Macon GA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Portland
12.4%
White
Macon
43.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.6 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 12.4% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 30.4% | 5.8% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 11.3% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 12.8% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $538,687 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 78.3 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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