Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 147,546 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.7% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 62.9% | 52.2% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 7.1% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $32,004 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $326,132 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 44.4% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 66.8°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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