Savannah GA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Savannah
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Savannah
37.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Savannah
7.1%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Savannah
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 118,578 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.5 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.7% | 5.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 37.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 52.2% | 14.9% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.3% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Savannah
$56,782
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Savannah
$32,004
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Savannah
$57,405
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Savannah
6.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Savannah
19.5%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Savannah
32.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,782 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,004 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Savannah
$326,132
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Savannah
44.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $326,132 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, 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%
Savannah +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.6%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Savannah
18.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Savannah
13.8%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Savannah
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Savannah
14.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.7% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
66.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Savannah
48.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Savannah
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Savannah
22.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Savannah, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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