Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Macon-Bibb County, GA
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Norfolk leads 12 of 23 categories
Macon-Bibb County
Georgia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,897
Violent Crime Index
394⚠ High
Population
156,554
Norfolk
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$60,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
236,973 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Macon-Bibb County, GA
Pros
Homes cost $99k less ($155,200 vs $254,200)
Rent averages $221/mo less ($967 vs $1,188)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Norfolk
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 50°F
Cons
Violent crime (1497.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Norfolk by $12,101/yr
Property crime (3808.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 6.7%)
Norfolk, VA
Pros
69% less violent crime than Macon-Bibb County
Households earn $12,101 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (6.7%)
More college-educated — 32.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (469.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3772.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Macon-Bibb County
Key Differences at a Glance
Macon-Bibb County
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Macon-Bibb County
Median Home Value
$99k less
$155,200 vs $254,200
Macon-Bibb County
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 88.7°F
Norfolk
Median Income
$12,101
$60,998 vs $48,897/yr
Norfolk
Violent Crime
69% lower
469.5 vs 1497.8 per 100k
Norfolk
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
6.7% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Macon-Bibb County, GA | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $155,200 ✓ Lower | $254,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $967 ✓ Lower | $1,188 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,897 | $60,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 7.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 309⚠ High | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 394⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.9% | 32.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.5% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bibb County | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 50.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer | 88.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 45.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 156,554 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 16.2% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Macon-Bibb County's cost of living index is 90.0 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Macon-Bibb County is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norfolk leads 12 of 23 categories. Macon-Bibb County wins 11 and Norfolk 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 Macon-Bibb County to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,200 vs $254,200 median home), income ($48,897 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Macon-Bibb County, GA and Norfolk, VA are about 509 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.