Savannah GA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 146,211 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 37.2% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 52.2% | 27.6% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $45,845 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $27,570 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 29.6% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 30.5% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 41.3% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.8% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.1% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Syracuse 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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