Moving from Lancaster, CA to Savannah, GA
A 2402 mi cross-country move between Lancaster and Savannah is 42h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2402 mi Β· 42h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | 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 |
Expect about 16.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Savannah at 95.206 vs Lancaster at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $465,847 to $326,509 moving to Savannah.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4Β°F moving to Savannah per NOAA normals.
Savannah gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.52 |
Savannah households earn about 16.2% less than Lancaster at the median β $76,083 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.
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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 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.
- Register to vote in Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Savannah more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 16.2% lower than Lancaster (95.206 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Savannah, GA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 2402 mi and the route typically takes 42h 4m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 29.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 25.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster 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.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2402 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Savannah, GA.