Macon GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Macon
61,773
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Macon
43.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 43.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 30.4% | 12.1% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $67,544 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $35,825 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.4% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 34.1% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $435,532 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 42.4% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 48.1 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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