Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 147,546 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 39.3% | 37.2% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 7.1% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Savannah
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $32,004 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.5% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $326,132 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 44.4% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Savannah
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Savannah
1752
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
40.3%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 66.8°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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