San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Savannah
6.7%
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 147,546 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 6.7% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 37.2% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.9% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 7.1% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $56,782 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $32,004 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 19.5% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 32.0% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 44.4% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 34.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.6% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.8% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.7% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 66.8°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 48.0 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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