Macon GA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Macon
43.7%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.0 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 7.5% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 30.4% | 29.0% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 8.6% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $52,671 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $34,792 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 28.9% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $279,668 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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