Macon GA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 43.7% | 21.8% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 1.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $28,813 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 14.2% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 15.5% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $751,711 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 47.0% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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