Macon GA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Macon
43.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 5.3% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 30.4% | 9.7% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.8% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 16.9% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $55,902 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $33,290 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 15.6% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 29.1% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $193,522 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
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, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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