Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 147,546 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 27.7% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 63.0% | 52.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.9% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $32,004 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.0% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $326,132 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 44.4% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1752 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.8% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 66.8°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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