Cost of Living in Savannah, GA

Population 147,546 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Savannah's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $56,782 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Cost Overview

Housing 74
Rent 99

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Savannah

The median home value in Savannah is $225,200 — 26% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,302/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,782/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Georgia's top state income tax rate is 5.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.3%. Overall, Savannah has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$225,200
26% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$322,470
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,302/mo
1% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,735/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$773
1 BR
$817
2 BR
$984
3 BR
$1,289
4 BR
$1,520
Owner-occupied 44.4%
Renter-occupied 55.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,302
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,916/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.3 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.4%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
2.6%
Walked
3.8%
Bicycle
1.5%
Work from home
10.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.3%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 3.4%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$56,782
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,004
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
39% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.5%
Labor Force Participation
64.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 11.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.7
Male median age 33.1
Female median age 34.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
56%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
300
PM2.5 days
52
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
57
Public schools
37,456
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Savannah, GA?

Savannah has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Savannah, GA?

The median gross rent in Savannah is $1,302 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Savannah?

The median home value in Savannah is $225,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Savannah?

The median household income in Savannah is $56,782 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Savannah, GA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Savannah is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.

Is Savannah, GA affordable?

Yes, Savannah is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

Savannah at a Glance

Population
147,546
Median Income
$56,782
Home Value
$225,200
Median Rent
$1,302/mo
Unemployment
6.7%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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