Moving from Memphis, TN to Savannah, GA
It is 623 mi between Memphis and Savannah — roughly 11h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
623 mi · 11h 29m by car · TN → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, I 16, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.179 vs 95.206 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $144,710 to $326,509 moving to Savannah.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 48.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Memphis (63.4°F) and Savannah (67.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Savannah gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.52 |
Households in Savannah earn about 3.3% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Tennessee 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
- 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 Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 623 mi and the route typically takes 11h 29m via US 78 and I 16. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 10.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 125.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 623 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 Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 63.4°F in Memphis (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 54.9 in.
Is Savannah more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 3.3% higher than Memphis (95.206 vs 92.179, 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 Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Savannah, GA.