Asheville NC vs Savannah GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
6.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 147,546 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 37.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 52.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,782 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,004 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.5% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.8% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.7% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 66.8°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 48.0 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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