Savannah GA vs South Bend IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Savannah
37.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 102,866 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 33.9 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 37.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 52.2% | 24.4% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.7% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $52,512 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $29,511 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 22.6% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 29.4% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.7% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.2% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.3% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.2% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Savannah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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