Macon GA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Salem
12.2%
White
Macon
43.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 12.2% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 30.4% | 1.6% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $36,477 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.3% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 14.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 31.4% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $438,754 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Salem 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 Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Macon, GA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Macon, GAChicago, IL vs Macon, GAHouston, TX vs Macon, GAMacon, GA vs Phoenix, AZMacon, GA vs Philadelphia, PA