Savannah GA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 41.6 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 37.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 52.2% | 4.8% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 31.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $422,520 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 32.8 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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