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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
If there's one takeaway from this page, it's this: 5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K. The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choi…
#1 Ranked: Macon — cost index 87, rent $1,207/mo, income $50,747
5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K
5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
If there's one takeaway from this page, it's this: 5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K. The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choices. This is where the math gets real for actual people (that's pre-tax, of course).
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choices. We ran the numbers on 5 cities in Georgia using 2026 census, rent, and salary data. Macon comes out on top — here's the full ranking and analysis.
So, Macon. Cost index of 87 — we had to double-check this one — , rent at $1,207/month. It's lower than the national average. Median income is $50,747, which is below the national median. That tracks.
Factor in the cost side, though, and the picture shifts. State context matters: Georgia's 6 cities average a 98 cost index with $1,312/month median rent and $62,676 household income. Atlanta's metro pull alongside rural affordability. The 12-month trend chart is where this ranking comes alive.
Bottom line: Macon leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
156,512 residents · Georgia
Dive into Macon's numbers: cost index 87 (25 points below national average), rent $1,207/month, income $50,747, and a home price of $167,317. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 67, while Healthcare runs 90. With 156,512 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs (though the trend is moving in the right direction).
200,884 residents · Georgia
The #2 spot goes to Augusta, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,321/month — saving renters $6,888 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 73, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 92. The 30% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended.
128,628 residents · Georgia
Here's Athens by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 103. Rent: $1,720/month — whether that matters depends on your situation — . Income: $51,655/year. Home price: $332,919. Population: 128,628. The strongest category is Utilities at 94; the most expensive is Housing at 107. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $2,100 per year vs. the national median. Even in a down market, this kind of cost structure protects household budgets.
147,748 residents · Georgia
Why Savannah ranks #4: the numbers tell a clear story. At 102 on the cost index, residents save roughly 10% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,736/month — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — while the median household pulls in $56,782/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 94, though Healthcare (106) lags behind. Home prices average $322,470 — $144,900 below the national median.
510,823 residents · Georgia
In plain English: So, Atlanta. Cost index of 108 — for better or worse — , rent at $1,888/month. It's lower than the national average. Median income is $81,938, which is above average. Not the most exciting stat, but it matters (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Macon | 5.49% | 7.38% | 0.83% | $101,248 |
2Augusta | 5.49% | 7.38% | 0.83% | $101,248 |
3Athens | 5.49% | 7.38% | 0.83% | $101,248 |
4Savannah | 5.49% | 7.38% | 0.83% | $101,248 |
5Atlanta | 5.49% | 7.38% | 0.83% | $101,248 |
We calculate what percentage of a $150K gross salary goes to median rent. Cities where rent consumes less of your paycheck rank higher. We also factor in estimated take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax. All data is sourced from federal agencies and verified research institutions. Cost of living indices are normalized to 100 (national median) using Zillow rent as the primary signal, with sub-category adjustments derived from regional BLS price data. Rankings are updated monthly as new data is released.
Macon ranks #1 in Georgia for this analysis with a cost index of 87 and median income of $50,747.
Yes. On a $150K salary in Macon, rent would consume about 10% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Macon (ranked #1) has a cost index of 87 and rent of $1,207/mo, while Atlanta (ranked #5) has a cost index of 108 and rent of $1,888/mo — a 21-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Macon is $1,207/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $688 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 5.49% state income tax, estimated take-home on $150K in Macon is approximately $101,248/year ($8,437/month). After median rent of $1,207/month, you'd have roughly $86,764/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Macon is $167,317, which is 3.3× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Georgia has a 5.49% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 7.38%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.