City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Savannah, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Savannah - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

147,546
Residents
$56,782
Median income
$225,200
Median home
$1,680
Median rent (state)

Savannah - the verdict

Savannah ranks in the 30th percentile for household income and the 99th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
99th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Savannah, GA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 147,546 residents in Savannah, a mid-sized U.S. city within Georgia. The typical household in Savannah brings in $56,782 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.2%. Savannah's housing stock carries a median value of $225,200, and the median resident age is 33.7 years. Educational attainment runs 32.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 579 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 71% from five years earlier. Savannah reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 20.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 67.4°F with 48.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Georgia scores 96.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,680 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Georgia run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

147,546 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$56,782 /yr

Poverty 13.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Savannah compare to other US cities?

Where Savannah sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 99% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Georgia and the picture shifts: Savannah ranks #2 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Savannah's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

30thIncome percentile
99thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 99th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Savannah's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Savannah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 57 Avg. percentile National median
Savannah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Savannah's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$225,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Savannah $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Savannah, GA Savannah, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Savannah, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Savannah, GA median $56,782/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Savannah, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Savannah, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
147,546
Median Income
$56,782
Median Home Value
$225,200
Median Age
33.7
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
20.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
20.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
48.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
48
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
146,000 residents148,000 residents150,000 residents152,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 147,517 residents 149,440 residents ▲ +1.3%
Savannah's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
579
housing units authorized
Single-Family
565
detached homes
Multifamily
14
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 339
2020 349
2021 492
2022 432
2023 601
2024 579

Permit volume increased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.4%
Carpool
10.3%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
3.8%
Work from Home
10.1%
Other
2.8%

Based on 70,137 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Savannah sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,680/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Macon-Bibb County
156,543 people
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
126,987 people
South Fulton
109,157 people
Sandy Springs
107,198 people
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
201,504 people
Roswell
92,577 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Savannah's 147,546 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rockford, IL
147,649 people
Bridgeport, CT
148,012 people
Denton, TX
146,987 people
Pomona, CA
148,391 people
Mesquite, TX
148,848 people
Syracuse, NY
146,211 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Savannah's $56,782 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Passaic, NJ
$56,780 median income
Breckenridge, MI
$56,779 median income
Sheridan, MI
$56,786 median income
Elbow Lake, MN
$56,786 median income
Marseilles, IL
$56,777 median income
Hardinsburg, KY
$56,774 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Savannah, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Savannah, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 37.2% 52.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.1% White 37.2% Black or African American 52.2% Asian 2.9% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 5.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Savannah compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Savannah (this city) 147,546 $56,782
Macon-Bibb County 156,543 $50,747
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) 126,987 $51,655
South Fulton 109,157 $81,798
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Savannah, GA?

What is the population of Savannah, GA? +

Savannah, GA counts 147,546 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Savannah, GA? +

Savannah households earn a median of $56,782 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Savannah? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Savannah; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Savannah, GA safe? +

Savannah has a total crime rate of 20.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Savannah, GA? +

Savannah's median home value sits at $225,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Savannah? +

Climate normals put Savannah's yearly average temperature at 67.4°F, 48.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.