Savannah GA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 141,925 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 37.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 52.2% | 20.4% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.0% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $51,468 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $28,819 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 24.0% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 28.6% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.8% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 20.4% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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