City Comparison
Augusta vs Macon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Augusta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
Macon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Augusta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
17% higher than Macon's.
| Metric | Augusta | Macon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,150 | +17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,035 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Augusta offers 3% higher 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 Augusta is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Macon.
| Metric | Augusta | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $49,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Augusta sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 66.00°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 2.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Augusta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Augusta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Macon.
From a growth perspective, Augusta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Augusta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Augusta | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 153,156 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Augusta
Advantages
Average monthly rent sits near $1,350, offering high affordability compared to the national average per Zillow data.
Robust employment anchors in healthcare and military technology, including Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University.
Rich recreational lifestyle highlighted by the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and premier year-round golfing.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 to 24 minutes reduce daily travel strain.
Lower overall cost of living indices that run notably below the U.S. average per federal economic data.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in certain urban core districts remain higher than national averages per Census figures.
High summer temperatures and humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak months.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting.
Local educational attainment metrics show lower percentages of bachelor's degrees than national benchmarks.
Property crime rates in specific pockets of the inner city require residents to maintain heightened awareness.
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.
Augusta
#399Georgia, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
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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