Living in Savannah, GA
Savannah is the 184th-largest city in the US, home to about 149,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (95.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 149,440+1.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $248,9004.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,382/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $57,137median, per year
- Price level
- 95.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 61° / 92°lows 40° / 74°
- Average commute
- 21 min12% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.19%top rate, flat
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County: Chatham County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 20 ft
Metro area: Savannah, GA
Cost of living in Savannah
The median home in Savannah is worth $248,900 and the median household earns $57,137 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,382 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Savannah, GA metro area at 95.2, with housing at 86.0 and goods at 96.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $71,400 here. Georgia taxes wages at a top rate of 5.19% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Georgia is 7.56%.
What would my salary be worth in Savannah?
Savannah weather
Average highs run from 61°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 40°F. It gets 48 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 80 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Savannah
People and work
The median resident is 34.0 years old, and 33% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 45% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.0132nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 33%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 45%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,365109.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%3% walk, 1.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 19.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1971median year
Who moves to Savannah, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Atlanta (Fulton County), Gwinnett County, GA and DeKalb County, GA. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Atlanta (Fulton County), Jacksonville (Duval County) and DeKalb County, GA. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Chatham County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, coastal flooding, lightning, ice storm.
Home prices
+3.4% in a year
Up 64% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Savannah, GA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
59% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Savannah, GA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Savannah
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Savannah State University in Savannah
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Savannah
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport SAV | 11 mi | 2,020,753 |
| Hilton Head Airport HHH | 26 mi | 108,775 |
| Charleston International Airport CHS | 86 mi | 3,115,194 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Savannah
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 5 mi | 15,243 | $50,165 | 70% |
| Savannah State University | in town | 2,833 | $7,542 | 35% |
| University of South Carolina Beaufort | 21 mi | 2,052 | $20,646 | 39% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Savannah
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 16 and the first frost comes around November 30.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Savannah Intl. Airport, GA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Savannah.
Wildfire smoke in Savannah
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Savannah on about 135 days a year, including about 13 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Savannah
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 58,192 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Savannah
Downtown Savannah is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 35,744 | 57 | 13.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Bryan County School District (10,677 students), Jasper County School District (2,901 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Savannah's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Savannah's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Conroe, TX83% matchCompare
- Tyler, TX80% matchCompare
- San Antonio, TX80% matchCompare
- Houston, TX78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Savannah
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Savannah
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 7 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 61°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Home prices have climbed fast: up 64% in five years (FHFA).
Savannah report card from locals
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Cities near Savannah
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC | 86 mi | 129,245 | $302,200 | 101.0 | Compare |
| Charleston, SC | 87 mi | 159,423 | $509,700 | 101.0 | Compare |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 93 mi | 95,469 | $748,500 | 101.0 | Compare |
| Augusta, GA | 114 mi | 201,999 | $178,400 | 91.9 | Compare |
| Jacksonville, FL | 121 mi | 1,017,689 | $293,700 | 99.5 | Compare |
| Columbia, SC | 138 mi | 147,035 | $264,300 | 93.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Savannah with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Savannah a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, 7 comfortable months a year, short commutes. Compare Savannah side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Savannah?
The Census Bureau estimates Savannah had 149,440 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 147,777 in April 2020 (+1.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Savannah?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $71,400 in the Savannah area. The median household here earns $57,137.
When is the best time to visit Savannah?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 61°F for daytime highs.
What county is Savannah in?
Savannah is in Chatham County, Georgia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Savannah in?
Savannah is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Savannah?
About 20 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Georgia have a state income tax?
Yes. Georgia has a flat income tax with a top rate of 5.19% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Savannah. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Savannah, GA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Savannah Intl. Airport, GA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.