Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 37.2% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.9% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.1% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Savannah
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.7% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Savannah
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Savannah
1752
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.8°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.0 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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