Macon GA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Macon
43.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.9 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 43.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 30.4% | 4.9% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 16.4% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.1% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $865,610 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 28.8% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 65.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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