City Comparison
Johns Creek vs Macon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johns Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johns Creek
Macon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Johns Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johns Creek's average rent is
83% higher than Macon's.
| Metric | Johns Creek | Macon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,150 | +83% |
| Groceries | $480 | $380 | +26% |
| Utilities | $190 | $175 | +9% |
| Transport | $140 | $110 | +27% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $3,140 | $2,035 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johns Creek offers 47% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johns Creek delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johns Creek is estimated at
$68,000 vs $48,000 in Macon.
| Metric | Johns Creek | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,034 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $49,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°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 — Johns Creek sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johns Creek | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.70°F | 66.00°F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 35.20°F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | 42.20 in | 39.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | 2.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Macon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Johns Creek.
| Metric | Johns Creek | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macon is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Johns Creek.
From a growth perspective, Johns Creek is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Johns Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johns Creek | Macon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,453 | 153,156 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johns Creek
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Georgia with extremely low violent crime rates per FBI data.
Home to exceptional public schools within the Fulton County School System, frequently earning top state rankings.
Median household income exceeds $140,000, reflecting a strong and prosperous local economy.
Abundant green spaces, including Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and extensive trails along the Chattahoochee River.
Proximity to Atlanta employment centers while maintaining a peaceful, master-planned suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and median home prices are significantly higher than the national and state averages.
High automobile dependency with limited public mass transit options leading to peak-hour traffic congestion.
Limited rental apartment inventory makes moving into the city as a renter competitive and expensive.
Nightlife and entertainment options are subdued compared to nearby urban centers like Atlanta.
Property taxes reflect the cost of maintaining high municipal service levels and top-tier public infrastructure.
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.
Johns Creek
#104Georgia, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
62.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
88
Business
78
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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