Macon GA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Waco
9.8%
White
Macon
43.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 9.8% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 30.4% | 20.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $51,468 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $28,819 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 24.0% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 28.6% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $196,465 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 66.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
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 442 in Waco. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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