Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Federal Way, WA
VS
Macon-Bibb County, GA
🏆 Macon-Bibb County leads 12 of 22 categories
Federal Way
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Macon-Bibb County
Georgia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,897
Violent Crime Index
394⚠ High
Population
156,554 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Households earn $31,463 more per year on average
64% less violent crime than Macon-Bibb County
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.5%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 94°F
More college-educated — 30.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County, GA
Pros
Homes cost $299k less ($155,200 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $693/mo less ($967 vs $1,660)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Federal Way by $31,463/yr
Violent crime (1497.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3808.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Federal Way
Median Income
$31,463
$80,360 vs $48,897/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
64% lower
545.4 vs 1497.8 per 100k
Federal Way
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.5% unemployment
Macon-Bibb County
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Macon-Bibb County
Median Home Value
$299k less
$155,200 vs $454,300
Macon-Bibb County
Summer Heat
16.7°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Macon-Bibb County, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $155,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,660⚠ High | $967 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,360 ✓ Higher | $48,897 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer | 309⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer | 394⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 208⚠ High | 181⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.6% ✓ Higher | 25.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Federal Way School District | Bibb County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 76.8°F | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.6" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,614 | 156,554 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 36.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.4% ✓ Higher | 52.6% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% | 24.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.2% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Way's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Macon-Bibb County's 90.0 (US average = 100).
Macon-Bibb County is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Macon-Bibb County leads 12 of 22 categories. Federal Way wins 10 and Macon-Bibb County wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Federal Way to Macon-Bibb County or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $155,200 median home), income ($80,360 vs $48,897), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Federal Way, WA and Macon-Bibb County, GA are about 2,246 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
Related Comparisons
Federal Way, WA vs Yakima, WA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Savannah, GA
Federal Way, WA vs Spokane Valley, WA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Athens-Clarke County, GA
Federal Way, WA vs Renton, WA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Federal Way, WA vs Kirkland, WA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Columbus, GA