Savannah GA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.4 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 37.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 52.2% | 18.9% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $427,121 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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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