Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 147,546 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 32.8% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 56.5% | 52.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Savannah
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $326,132 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 44.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Savannah
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Savannah
1752
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.8°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 48.0 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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