Macon GA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Macon +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Macon
43.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 26,509 | Macon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.7 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 7.1% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 30.4% | 3.6% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $344,633 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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