Macon GA vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.7 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 43.7% | 40.5% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 5.1% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 15.9% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.6% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $1,369,171 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 38.5% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Macon, GA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 33.9 min | Macon + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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