Moving from Savannah, GA to Memphis, TN
Relocating 623 mi from Savannah to Memphis is a 11h 29m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
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
| Savannah | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 79.807 | 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
3.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.47 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.2% lower in Memphis than Savannah.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 Memphis average 92°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: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Memphis more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 3.2% lower than Savannah (92.179 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Memphis, TN from Savannah, GA?
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 much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 55.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 67.5°F in Savannah (4.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 48.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Memphis?
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 Memphis compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 9.8% 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Memphis, TN.