Moving from Irvine, CA to Savannah, GA
It is 2419 mi and 42h 26m from Irvine to Savannah — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2419 mi · 42h 26m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.2% cheaper overall in Savannah than Irvine on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 48.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.52 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.2% — $129,647 → $56,782 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
How far is Savannah, GA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 2419 mi and the route typically takes 42h 26m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 64.9°F in Irvine (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Savannah more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 16.2% lower than Irvine (95.206 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 56.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 79.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 2419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 6,185,570 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Savannah, GA.