Savannah GA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Savannah
37.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 126,103 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 38.2 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 5.3% | Savannah + |
| White | 37.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 52.2% | 9.7% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.8% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $55,902 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 29.1% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.7% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.9% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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