Savannah GA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.9 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 37.2% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 52.2% | 43.3% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Savannah +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $580,173 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 41.1% | Savannah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
34.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 24.0% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 32.8 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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