CostIndexUSA

Macon, GA vs Philadelphia, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
PA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Macon is significantly cheaper than Philadelphia — 15.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Macon, you would need $92,700 in Philadelphia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+92.0%
Macon
58.9
Philadelphia
113.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Macon
96.3
Philadelphia
96.8
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Macon
103.6
Philadelphia
108.2
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Macon
93.7
Philadelphia
97.9
Utilities+27.8%
Macon
89.5
Philadelphia
114.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$92,700
$12,700 more needed in Philadelphia

Formula: salary × (102.6 ÷ 88.5) = salary × 1.1593. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Macon, GA

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

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Philadelphia has 92.0% higher housing costs compared to Macon.

Income & Job Market

Macon, GA

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

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Macon, GA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.