Moving from Savannah, GA to Philadelphia, PA
The drive from Savannah, GA to Philadelphia, PA runs 730 mi — about 14h 2m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
730 mi · 14h 2m by car · PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 395, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Richmond, Raleigh, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.7% pricier overall in Philadelphia than Savannah on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 7.7% under Savannah at $326,509 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 50.7" |
Climate cools by 9.8°F on the annual average — 67.5°F → 57.7°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.36 |
Income steps up 7.7%: $56,782 in Savannah vs $60,698 in Philadelphia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 29.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 730 mi and the route typically takes 14h 2m via I 95 and I 395. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 67.5°F in Savannah (9.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 48.1 in.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 7.7% higher than Savannah (102.554 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 730 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Philadelphia, PA.