Macon GA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Macon
43.7%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.7 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 4.5% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 30.4% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 3.4% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $65,537 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $41,110 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.7% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 16.5% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 35.1% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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