Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 147,546 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 6.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 37.2% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 7.1% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $56,782 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $32,004 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 19.5% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 32.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 44.4% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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
Durham
36.8%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Savannah
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.5% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.8% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 66.8°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 48.0 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Durham, NC vs New York, NYDurham, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Durham, NCDurham, NC vs Houston, TXDurham, NC vs Phoenix, AZDurham, NC vs Philadelphia, PA