Skyline of Savannah
Cost of Living: 96.5 147,780

Savannah, GA, US

Hostess City with Spanish moss, historic squares, and coastal Southern beauty.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Savannah is a city in GA with a population of 147,780. Hostess City with Spanish moss, historic squares, and coastal Southern beauty. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The population skews young, with a median age of 33.7.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 96.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 92.5

Affordable

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Savannah vs US Average

Cost of Living
Savannah: 96.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Savannah: 92.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Savannah: 5.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.8%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 147,780

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 216/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 39°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $280,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

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Cost of Living

Savannah's cost of living index is 96.5 (US average = 100).

CategorySavannahNational AverageDifference
Overall96.5100-3.5%
Housing92.5100-7.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$280,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$186

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Savannah:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$120Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$42Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$17Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$319Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Savannah scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 96.5
Rent
— $1400
Sunny Days
— 216
Tax
— 5.75%
Unemployment
— 3.5%
Climate
— 92°F / 39°F
Safety
— 9.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 147,780
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Savannah has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January59°F39°F2.5"
April77°F54°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F57°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Savannah faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal city affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.75%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~1.03% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Savannah per 100,000 residents:

20.3
Violent Crime
0.0
Property Crime
9.5
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

58/100
School Quality Score
Better than 44% of US cities
?
49
Total Schools
9.4:1
Student:Teacher
90.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Savannah is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.8%
Black or African American
51.1%
Hispanic or Latino
7.1%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.2%
Other
0.4%
Two or more races
2.9%
White
35.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
High school graduate
27.0%
Less than high school
10.1%
Some college
30.9%

Religion

Christian
76.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
18.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Savannah, GA, US?

The cost of living index in Savannah is 96.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Savannah?

The median home price in Savannah is $280,000. The housing index is 92.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Savannah is approximately $1400/mo.

Does Savannah, GA have income tax?

Savannah is in GA, which has an income tax rate of 5.75%.

What is the climate like in Savannah?

Savannah enjoys approximately 216 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 39°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.