Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 147,546 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 6.7% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 37.2% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $326,132 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 44.4% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.8% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 66.8°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 48.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.2 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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