Macon GA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 8.3% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 41.5% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $46,628 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $30,451 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 26.6% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 29.9% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $241,627 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 37.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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