Moving from Richmond, VA to Savannah, GA
Relocating between Richmond, VA and Savannah, GA is a 477 mi drive — 8h 56m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
477 mi · 8h 56m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17, GA 404 SPUR |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.7% under Richmond — $369,646 → $326,509 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 48.1" |
Expect 8.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.52 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% lower in Savannah than Richmond.
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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 58.9°F in Richmond (8.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 45.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 11.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 477 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Savannah, GA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 477 mi and the route typically takes 8h 56m via I 95 and US 17. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Savannah more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 2.7% lower than Richmond (95.206 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 9.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Savannah, GA.