Macon GA vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Macon
30.4%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 6.7% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 37.2% | Macon + |
| Black | 30.4% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 7.1% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Savannah
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $56,782 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $32,004 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.7% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.5% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 32.0% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $326,132 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 44.4% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Savannah
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Savannah
1752
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 66.8°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 48.0 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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