CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Macon, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Macon is significantly cheaper than Baltimore — 15.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $67,800 in Macon. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing50.2%
Baltimore
118.2
Macon
58.9
🛒 Groceries6.0%
Baltimore
102.4
Macon
96.3
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Macon
103.6
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Baltimore
96.4
Macon
93.7
Utilities18.8%
Baltimore
110.2
Macon
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Macon to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Macon, GA
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in Macon

Formula: salary × (88.5 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8469. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Macon, GA

Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
58.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.2×

Baltimore has 50.2% lower housing costs compared to Macon.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Macon, GA

Median Household Income
$59,800
Per Capita Income
$34,100
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
157,346
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentLogisticsEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Macon, GA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.