A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Macon-Bibb County Georgia National
Cost of living8993100
Goods & Services9797100
Groceries9798100
Health care95100100
Housing7486100
Transportation9794100
Utilities8686100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Macon-Bibb County, GA

The cost of living in Macon-Bibb County affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Macon-Bibb County is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Is Macon-Bibb County Affordable?

Is Macon-Bibb County an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Macon-Bibb County, the median home price is 32.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 12.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Macon-Bibb County come in at $41,317, which is 25.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Macon-Bibb County?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Macon-Bibb County, healthcare costs are 4.6% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Macon-Bibb County, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Macon-Bibb County, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Macon-Bibb County is 4% lower than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Macon-Bibb County is 11% lower than the national average
  • Macon-Bibb County housing is 26% lower than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Macon-Bibb County

See all the best places to live around Macon-Bibb County

Compare Macon-Bibb County, GA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$63,157$5,263$1,474$1,895
      Renters$26,438$2,203$617$793

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      Haircut $13.33$24.2645.0%
      Beauty Salon $35.83$45.5621.4%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.2%
      Shampoo $1.10$1.2813.8%
      Movie $12.83$12.135.8%
      Bowling $7.50$18.0058.3%

      Groceries

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.74$5.8415.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.5%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.52$4.9311.9%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.4%
      Beer $9.98$10.414.1%

      Health Care

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $133.00$125.685.8%
      Doctor $83.33$135.7838.6%
      Dentist $131.25$113.2915.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.05$10.655.6%
      Lipitor $510.21$468.608.9%

      Housing

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      Home Price $125,300.00$184,700.0032.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,438.43$2,346.6938.7%
      Apartment Rent $834.00$949.0012.1%

      Transportation

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $65.19$59.928.8%

      Utilities

      Item Macon-Bibb County National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $150.33$193.9922.5%
      Phone $189.93$192.251.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Payne, GA2698416.3%
      Gray, GA3,223919.4%
      Byron, GA5,170936.9%
      Centerville, GA7,821946.4%
      Robins AFB, GA1,4031109.9%
      Macon-Bibb County, GA153,0268911.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kansas City, KS153,0148614.2%
      Palmdale, CA153,24012828.0%
      Sunnyvale, CA152,569266166.2%
      Pasadena, TX152,537946.3%
      Springfield, MA153,6771022.1%
      Macon-Bibb County, GA153,0268911.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.