Macon GA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Macon
43.7%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 4.7% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 30.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 5.2% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $48,536 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $31,324 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.0% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 23.8% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 38.1% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $231,461 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 45.1% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 65.0°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 55.0 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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 400 in Tuscaloosa. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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