Moving from Atlanta, GA to Savannah, GA
It is a 251 mi drive, roughly 4h 42m, between Atlanta, GA and Savannah, GA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
251 mi Β· 4h 42m by car Β· GA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 16, I 75, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.8% under Atlanta β $385,599 β $326,509 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2Β°F moving to Savannah per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.52 |
Savannah households earn about 4.8% less than Atlanta at the median β $81,938 β $56,782 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Savannah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,950 | $41,600 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,870 | $37,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $28,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 18,460 | $31,030 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,220 | $76,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Savannah average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Savannah more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 4.8% lower than Atlanta (95.206 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Savannah, GA from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 251 mi and the route typically takes 4h 42m via I 16 and I 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 30.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 251 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Savannah, GA.