Moving from Savannah, GA to Lancaster, CA
It is 2402 mi and 42h 4m from Savannah to Lancaster β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
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
| Savannah | Lancaster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 19.3% above Savannah β 95.206 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Savannah | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 6.8" |
Expect 5.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 3.26 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.3% β $56,782 β $76,083 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 Lancaster average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Lancaster, CA from Savannah, GA?
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 does the job market in Lancaster compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $326,509 in Savannah β a 42.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lancaster more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lancaster is 19.3% higher than Savannah (113.566 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Lancaster?
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.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $56,782 in Savannah β a 34.0% higher 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA Β· Lancaster, CA.