CICostIndexUSA

Macon, GA vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Macon is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 26.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Macon, you would need $101,200 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+204.4%
Macon
58.9
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+12.1%
Macon
96.3
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+1.0%
Macon
103.6
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Macon
93.7
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+94.6%
Macon
89.5
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$101,200
$21,200 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 88.5) = salary × 1.2644. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Macon, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
58.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$934,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.9×

San Diego has 204.4% higher housing costs compared to Macon.

Income & Job Market

Macon, GA

Median Household Income
$56,600
Per Capita Income
$32,300
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
Population
157,346
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentLogisticsEducation

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$109,100
Per Capita Income
$62,200
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

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

Macon, GA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.