City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Macon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Macon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
70% higher than Macon's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Macon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,150 | +70% |
| Groceries | $480 | $380 | +26% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,035 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 41% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brookhaven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $48,000 in Macon.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $49,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Macon comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 66.00°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 2.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Macon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Brookhaven.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macon is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brookhaven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 153,156 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Brookhaven and Macon.
Open Cost Calculator