| Index | Savannah | Georgia | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 106 | 99 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Savannah can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Savannah cost of living index is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Savannah is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 22 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Savannah and this is how they responded. 45% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 55% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Savannah an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Savannah, the median home price is 10.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 7.7% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Savannah come in at $67,443, which is 17.1% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Savannah starts at 4% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The Savannah cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $95,350 | $7,946 | $2,225 | $2,861 |
| Renters | $52,583 | $4,382 | $1,227 | $1,578 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Georgia | 4% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Georgia | 1% | 5.57% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Garden City, GA | 9,315 | 94 | 6.3% |
| Bloomingdale, GA | 2,890 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Rincon, GA | 10,511 | 101 | 0.8% |
| Georgetown, GA | 12,996 | 102 | 1.6% |
| Port Wentworth, GA | 9,153 | 104 | 4.3% |
| Savannah, GA | 148,994 | 99 | 1.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Paterson, NJ | 149,118 | 122 | 21.5% |
| Lévis, QC | 149,331 | n/a | |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Mesquite, TX | 148,020 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Guelph, ON | 147,931 | n/a | |
| Savannah, GA | 148,994 | 99 | 1.2% |
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