Savannah GA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Savannah
37.2%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 35.6 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 37.2% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 52.2% | 32.4% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.3% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $419,326 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.5% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 58.4 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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