Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Savannah, GA
It is a 451 mi drive, roughly 8h 27m, between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Savannah, GA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
451 mi · 8h 27m by car · FL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, SR 845 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.6% cheaper overall in Savannah than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature drops 9.4°F moving to Savannah per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.52 |
Savannah households earn about 16.6% less than Fort Lauderdale at the median — $79,935 → $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.
Moving between Florida and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 92°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.
- Register to vote in Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (9.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 64.3 in.
How far is Savannah, GA from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 451 mi and the route typically takes 8h 27m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 35.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 29.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 451 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Savannah more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 16.6% lower than Fort Lauderdale (95.206 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Savannah, GA.