Cities / Savannah / Historic District vs Midtown (Savannah)
Historic District vs Midtown (Savannah): which is safer?
Midtown (Savannah) is the safer of the two — 76/100 against 73/100. Go. Midtown Savannah provides a calm, predominantly residential experience with stately oaks, established mid-century and historic homes, and reliable medical centers. While violent crime is low in its residential enclaves, visitors should exercise basic precautions against vehicle break-ins around major retail strips and arterial corridors.
Historic District
Savannah, Georgia
73
out of 100 · Go, stay aware
Savannah's Historic District is a master-planned urban grid defined by 22 manicured squares, Spanish moss-draped live oaks, and preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. It serves as the economic engine and tourism core of the city, blending upscale boutique hotels, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) facilities, and bustling riverfront commerce.
- Walk score
- 93
- Bike score
- 79
Pros
- High pedestrian activity and strong private/campus security patrols deter daytime street crime
- High property values and extensive historic preservation investment maintain well-kept infrastructure
- Comprehensive street lighting and clear navigational grid layout throughout primary corridors
Cons
- Elevated rates of petty theft and vehicle break-ins targeting tourists and parked cars
- Rowdy late-night crowds and sporadic bar-district fights fueled by liberal open-container laws
- Proximity to higher-crime neighborhoods immediately to the west and southwest beyond MLK Jr. Boulevard
Midtown (Savannah)
Savannah, Georgia
76
out of 100 · Go, stay aware
Midtown Savannah sits just south of the downtown historic district and Thomas Square, encompassing scenic residential neighborhoods like Ardsley Park, Chatham Crescent, and Habersham Woods. It offers a quieter, local perspective on Savannah life with independent neighborhood eateries, botanical spaces, and convenient access to the city's primary medical campuses.
- Walk score
- 60
- Bike score
- 62
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to northern and western Savannah districts
- Strong homeownership rates and stable median household incomes across historic residential pockets
- Direct proximity to premier regional medical facilities including Memorial Health and St. Joseph's/Candler
Cons
- Frequent vehicle break-ins and petty theft in retail parking lots and along busier thoroughfares
- High-speed traffic and limited pedestrian infrastructure along major corridors like DeRenne Avenue and Abercorn Street
- Uneven street lighting on certain secondary residential blocks and rear alleyways