Macon GA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 43.7% | 31.9% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 2.1% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 16.1% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $720,443 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 41.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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