City Comparison
Albany vs Macon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Macon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Macon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Macon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
17% lower than Macon's.
| Metric | Albany | Macon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,035 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Macon offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Macon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Macon.
| Metric | Albany | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $49,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | 66.00°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 2.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 251 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albany has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Macon.
For walkability, Macon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albany | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macon is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Albany.
From a growth perspective, Albany is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Macon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 153,156 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
Macon
Advantages
Median home prices in Macon are significantly lower than the national average, offering high housing affordability per square foot (Zillow, 2024)
Rich cultural and musical history featuring world-class annual events like the International Cherry Blossom Festival
Strategic central Georgia location providing convenient access to Atlanta, Savannah, and regional natural attractions
Major healthcare hub anchored by robust medical centers like Atrium Health Navicent and Piedmont Macon
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the expansive Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Amerson River Park
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median, requiring careful neighborhood selection (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024)
Public transportation options are limited, making a personal vehicle practically essential for daily commuting and errands
Hot and humid summer climate can be intensely stifling for individuals sensitive to high temperatures
Average local wages lag somewhat behind major metropolitan economic centers in the state
Economic mobility and job growth in certain traditional sectors have historically trailed high-growth tech hubs
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
Macon
#511Georgia, USA
52.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
66.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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