CostIndexUSA

Macon, GA vs San Francisco, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Macon
88.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Macon is dramatically cheaper than San Francisco — 30.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Macon, you would need $104,500 in San Francisco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+230.6%
Macon
58.9
San Francisco
194.7
🛒 Groceries+12.7%
Macon
96.3
San Francisco
108.5
🚗 Transportation+7.6%
Macon
103.6
San Francisco
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+7.7%
Macon
93.7
San Francisco
100.9
Utilities+92.8%
Macon
89.5
San Francisco
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$104,500
$24,500 more needed in San Francisco

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 88.5) = salary × 1.3062. 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×

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

San Francisco has 230.6% 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

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

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)

San Francisco, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.