Moving from Lakeland, FL to Savannah, GA
Moving from Lakeland, FL to Savannah, GA covers 326 mi and about 6h 13m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
326 mi · 6h 13m by car · GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 4, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Lakeland (97.141) and Savannah (95.206) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $311,156 vs $326,509 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 48.1" |
Savannah is 6.4°F cooler on the annual average (73.9°F vs 67.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.52 |
Median household income in Savannah is 2.0% below Lakeland ($60,947 → $56,782, 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 Lakeland and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (6.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 56.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland 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 326 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 4.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Savannah more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 2.0% lower than Lakeland (95.206 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 6.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Savannah, GA from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 326 mi and the route typically takes 6h 13m via I 95 and I 4. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Savannah, GA.