Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 147,546 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.7% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 37.2% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.9% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 7.1% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $56,782 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $32,004 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,405 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.7% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.5% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 44.4% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 392 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.6% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.8% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 66.8°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 48.0 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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