Savannah, GA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Savannah, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Savannah →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Savannah counts roughly 147,583 residents, and the median household brings in $54,748 annually — -24% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here below the pack.
In Savannah, the median home is valued at $203,300 — below the median across the cities we track (-38%) — and typical rent runs $1,216 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
The home-value-to-income ratio in Savannah — around 3.7× — falls into a middle tier, neither notably affordable nor notably stretched. Home prices near Savannah have risen a steady 2.3% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. Natural-hazard exposure in Savannah is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,216/mo in Savannah would take 26.7% of your income.
$153/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($203,300) would take 23.8% of your income toward principal & interest.
$192/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Savannah
Median home value is $203,300 and median gross rent is $1,216/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Chatham rose 2.3% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,680/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Savannah's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Savannah reported a violent crime rate of 85.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Savannah
Planning a move to Savannah? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Savannah, GA?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Savannah — median home value of $203,300, median rent of $1,216/month — set against a median household income of $54,748 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Savannah?
- At Savannah's median rent of $1,216/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $48,640 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Savannah.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Savannah?
- With a median home value of $203,300 and median rent of $1,216/month, renting comfortably in Savannah takes about $48,640/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $46,514/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Savannah safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 85.8 per 100,000 residents in Savannah.
See the full salary breakdown for Savannah →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Savannah's.