Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 147,546 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 22.9% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Savannah
6.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $56,782 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $32,004 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $326,132 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.7% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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