Macon GA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Macon
43.7%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 43.1 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 10.1% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 30.4% | 19.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 9.3% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 41.3% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $331,500 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Macon, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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