Cost of Living in Savannah, GA
If you're trying to figure out whether your paycheck stretches in Savannah, you've probably already hit the wall every relocation site runs into: plenty of rent averages, almost no straight answers. So I'll be straight with you: Savannah runs about 7 to 10 percent below the national average overall, and housing is a full 23 percent below it (RentCafe, 2026). Housing's doing most of that work. There's one category that runs the other way, and a couple of city comparisons that might surprise you. Let's walk through it.
The Big Picture
Savannah's overall cost-of-living index sits around 90 to 93 against a national baseline of 100. We're about 4.6 percent under the Georgia average too, so this isn't just affordable by coastal standards, it's affordable by Georgia standards. Housing is the biggest reason why. Healthcare runs the other direction, about 14 percent above the national average (RentCafe).
Housing
This is where Savannah earns its reputation.
| Housing | Savannah (2026) |
|---|---|
| Median home sale price | $329,830 (down 6.7% YoY) |
| Median price per sq ft | $208 |
| Studio rent | ~$1,100–$1,200/mo |
| 1BR rent | ~$1,200–$1,400/mo |
| 2BR rent | ~$1,400–$1,700/mo |
| 3BR rent | ~$1,800–$2,200/mo |
Sources: Redfin, April 2026; Apartments.com, June 2026.
That 6.7 percent dip in home prices year over year matters more than it looks. It means more inventory and more room to negotiate than we've had in a while. If you've been waiting on the sidelines, this is a friendlier market for buyers than 2022 ever was.
Utilities
Budget roughly $140 to $183 a month for a standard apartment, plus about $50 for internet. One thing the calculators won't tell you: our summers mean the AC runs nine or ten months a year, so your electric bill skews higher than it would up north. For a two-bedroom home, $200 to $250 a month all-in is a fair estimate.
Groceries
Groceries land right around the national average. A single adult spends roughly $300 to $400 a month, a family of four $800 to $1,100 (Numbeo, June 2026). Eggs run $3.50 to $4.50 a dozen, a loaf of bread $3 to $4, a pound of chicken breast $4 to $5.50. Nothing shocking.
Transportation
Savannah is a car town. Chatham Area Transit exists, but coverage is limited, so plan on driving. Gas ran $3.768 a gallon in mid-June 2026 (AAA), a touch above Atlanta. The bigger line item is insurance: full coverage averages about $2,960 a year here (Insure.com, May 2026), higher than the national average, and coastal storm risk is part of why.
Healthcare
Healthcare is the one place Savannah costs more, not less. It runs about 14 percent above the national average (RentCafe). What you pay depends heavily on your insurance and your employer's plan, so treat this as a number to check for your own situation, not a dealbreaker. For most people it doesn't erase the housing savings, but it's worth pricing before you assume everything here is cheaper.
What Salary Do You Actually Need?
MIT's Living Wage Calculator (Chatham County, February 2026) gives the cleanest read. These cover basic needs, not vacations and savings, so add 20 to 30 percent for genuinely comfortable.
| Household | Savannah | Atlanta | Charleston | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single adult | $51,933 | $55,599 | $54,367 | $46,251 |
| 1 adult + 1 child | ~$72,000 | ~$78,000 | ~$75,000 | ~$64,000 |
| 2 adults + 2 kids (2 earners) | $101,323 | $86,946 | $85,899 | $77,524 |
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator, Feb 2026.
Savannah vs. the Cities People Compare Us To
| Metric | Savannah | Atlanta | Charleston SC | Jacksonville FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COL index vs national | ~90–93 | ~103–107 | ~120–130 | ~92–95 |
| Median home price | $329,830 | ~$380k–$420k | ~$500k–$580k | ~$310k–$340k |
| Avg 1BR rent | ~$1,300 | ~$1,700–$1,900 | ~$1,800–$2,100 | ~$1,300–$1,500 |
| Gas (per gal, June 2026) | $3.768 | $3.707 | $3.582 | $3.704 |
| Car insurance (annual) | ~$2,960 | ~$3,100+ | ~$2,023 | ~$2,569 |
| State income tax | GA 5.49% | GA 5.49% | SC 6.4% max | FL 0% |
Sources: Numbeo, MIT, AAA, Insure.com / Bankrate / Experian, 2026.
Two things jump out. Charleston is a different price tier entirely. Beautiful city, but you're paying 60 to 75 percent more for a home. And Jacksonville's Florida zero-income-tax thing is real money for high earners: on a $100,000 income, that's about $5,490 a year you'd keep that Georgia would take. If you're a big earner deciding between us and Jacksonville, run that math honestly before you fall for our live oaks.
FAQ
Is Savannah cheap to live in?
Mostly, yes. We run 7 to 10 percent below the national average overall, and housing alone is 23 percent below it. Healthcare's the outlier — it runs about 14 percent above.
What does it take to live comfortably in Savannah?
MIT pegs the living wage at $51,933 for a single adult and $101,323 for a family of four (Chatham County, Feb 2026). Those numbers cover the basics, not much else, so if you want real breathing room, plan on 20 to 30 percent above them.
Is Savannah cheaper than Atlanta?
Savannah comes in roughly 10 to 15 percent cheaper across most categories. Our median home price is well under Atlanta's, and a one-bedroom rents for $400 to $600 less. The state income tax is the same for both, though, so that part's a wash.
Is Savannah cheaper than Charleston?
We're significantly more affordable. Charleston runs about 36 percent higher excluding rent, and homes there cost 60 to 75 percent more than ours do.
Is Savannah cheaper than Jacksonville?
It's close — Jacksonville edges us out slightly overall. But Florida's 0 percent income tax is the real wildcard if you're a higher earner.
Can you retire in Savannah on a budget?
It works for a lot of people. Housing runs well below the national average, Georgia doesn't tax Social Security, and residents 65 and up can exclude up to $65,000 a year of retirement income from state tax. The Stephens-Day exemption can also hold your county property-tax value at your purchase price, so it doesn't climb with the market.
What is the median home price in Savannah?
$329,830 as of April 2026, down 6.7 percent year over year, with price per square foot around $208 (Redfin).
One Number Nobody Can Average for You
Your property tax. In Savannah it depends on Stephens-Day and your purchase price, not the listing's old bill, so the figure you see online is often wrong for you specifically. If you're weighing a specific address, send it my way and I'll run the real number for you, so you're budgeting off something accurate instead of a website's best guess.
Thinking about making a move?
A simple conversation, with no expectations, is where we start. Tell me where you are in the process and I’ll help you think through what comes next. Whether you’re relocating for work, retiring to the coast, or still deciding whether Savannah is the place, I’m happy to talk it through.
