Moving from Orange, CA to Savannah, GA
Cross-country relocations like Orange, CA → Savannah, GA cover 2418 mi and about 42h 22m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2418 mi · 42h 22m by car · GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 95.206, putting Savannah roughly 16.2% below Orange on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Savannah: 16.2% below Orange on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.52 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.2% between Orange and Savannah (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 — 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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
Is Savannah more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 16.2% lower than Orange (95.206 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Savannah, GA from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 2418 mi and the route typically takes 42h 22m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 71.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange 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.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $116,945 in Orange — a 51.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Orange 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 2418 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Orange and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 66.1°F in Orange (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · Savannah, GA.