Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 147,546 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.7% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 37.2% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Savannah
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $56,782 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $32,004 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.5% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 32.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 44.4% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Savannah
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Savannah
1752
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.8% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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