Macon-Bibb County is a mid-sized city of 156,554 in Georgia, with a median household income of $48,897
and a 7.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Macon-Bibb County stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Macon-Bibb County is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Macon-Bibb County city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.0
Macon-Bibb County's overall cost of living index is 90.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Macon-Bibb County costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Macon-Bibb County, GA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$155,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$967
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
52.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,897
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Macon-Bibb County's violent crime rate is 1497.8 per 100,000 residents
— 294% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1497.8 /100k
Property Crime
3808.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Macon-Bibb County is served primarily by Bibb County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Macon-Bibb County, GA
National Avg
School District
Bibb County
—
Elementary Schools
21
—
Middle Schools
6
—
High Schools
6
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
25.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
86.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Macon-Bibb County sees average highs of 59.3°F in January
and 93.5°F in July,
with 51.3 inches of annual precipitation
.
Macon-Bibb County's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Macon-Bibb County roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $155,200 and median rent is $967/month.
Macon-Bibb County's violent crime rate is 1497.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3808.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Macon-Bibb County are operated by Bibb County.
The district has 21 elementary, 6 middle, and 6 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 25.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Macon-Bibb County, GA has a population of 156,554, a median household income of $48,897, and an unemployment rate of 7.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Macon-Bibb County averages 59.3°F in January and 93.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 51.3 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Macon-Bibb County, GA is covered by 12 ZIP codes: 31216, 31052, 31217, 31210, 31206, 31220, 31204, 31201, 31211, 31020, 31207, 31213.
The population of Macon-Bibb County, Georgia is 156,554 with a median age of 36.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Macon-Bibb County: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $155,200, median household income $48,897, crime index 309 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Macon-Bibb County side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.