Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 76.6% | 37.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $56,782 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $32,004 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 6.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $326,132 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 44.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | 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
Charleston
40.2%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 66.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 48.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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