Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 147,546 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 11.7% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 76.8% | 52.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 7.1% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $326,132 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 44.4% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.8% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 66.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 48.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Savannah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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