Moving from Savannah, GA to Birmingham, AL
Relocating between Savannah, GA and Birmingham, AL is a 393 mi drive — 7h 17m 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.
393 mi · 7h 17m by car · AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 16, I 20, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 71.851 | 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
3.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.7% — $56,782 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Birmingham, AL from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 393 mi and the route typically takes 7h 17m via I 16 and I 20. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 21.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 393 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 67.5°F in Savannah (3.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 48.1 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 3.7% lower than Savannah (91.644 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Birmingham, AL.