Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Macon-Bibb County, GA
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Macon-Bibb County leads 12 of 21 categories
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
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ 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 $150k less ($155,200 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $345/mo less ($967 vs $1,312)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.0)
Cons
Violent crime (1497.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Worcester by $14,114/yr
Property crime (3808.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 6.6%)
Worcester, MA
Pros
99% less violent crime than Macon-Bibb County
Households earn $14,114 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.6%)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 94°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Macon-Bibb County
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Macon-Bibb County
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Macon-Bibb County
Median Home Value
$150k less
$155,200 vs $305,600
Macon-Bibb County
Summer Heat
13.7°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$14,114
$63,011 vs $48,897/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
99% lower
16.5 vs 1497.8 per 100k
Worcester
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Macon-Bibb County, GA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $155,200 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $967 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,897 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 309⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 394⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.9% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.5% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bibb County | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 48.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 156,554 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 16.2% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Macon-Bibb County's cost of living index is 90.0 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Macon-Bibb County is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Macon-Bibb County leads 12 of 21 categories. Macon-Bibb County wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,200 vs $305,600 median home), income ($48,897 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Macon-Bibb County, GA and Worcester, MA are about 921 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
Related Comparisons
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Savannah, GA
Worcester, MA vs Springfield, MA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Athens-Clarke County, GA
Worcester, MA vs Cambridge, MA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Worcester, MA vs Lowell, MA
Macon-Bibb County, GA vs Columbus, GA
Worcester, MA vs Brockton, MA