Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 147,546 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.7% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 37.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 7.1% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $56,782 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $32,004 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.5% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.0% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 392 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1752 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.6% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.8% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.7% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 66.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 48.0 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, VALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, VAChicago, IL vs Richmond, VAHouston, TX vs Richmond, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, VA