Savannah GA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Savannah
37.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 107,699 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 4.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 37.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 52.2% | 42.8% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 5.2% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $48,536 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $31,324 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.0% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 23.8% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tie
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.6% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.3% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 55.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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