Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 147,546 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 36.7% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 46.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 7.1% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,405 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $326,132 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 66.8°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 48.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Savannah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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