Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 147,546 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 6.7% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 39.9% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 7.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $56,782 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $32,004 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 32.0% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $326,132 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 44.4% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 66.8°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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