Savannah 86 Exceptional
Savannah Livability #1 ranked city in Georgia#397 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Savannah, GA - The Hostess City of the South

Savannah, GA, known as 'The Hostess City of the South,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Chatham County, Savannah is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Atlanta (250 miles) and Charleston (108 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Savannah's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Savannah is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Forsyth Park, the historic Savannah Historic District, and the scenic River Street. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery to the bustling City Market, known for its shopping and dining. Savannah's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Savannah Music Festival and the Savannah Food & Wine Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Savannah's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the Savannah College of Art and Design contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Savannah is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Savannah Theatre and the Telfair Museums are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Savannah provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Savannah’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Savannah Bananas (Coastal Plain League), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Savannah include tourism, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Memorial Health University Medical Center and Gulfstream Aerospace driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and ferries, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in Savannah

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Savannah?

Savannah, Georgia is a medium-sized city with a population of 148,994 people. Savannah is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (38%) and Black or African American (54%). If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Savannah residents is 33. Savannah is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 38%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Savannah. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Savannah, Georgia. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Savannah, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Savannah has received a livability score of 81/100. This score is ranked in the 95th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the United States average, Savannah ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Savannah also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Savannah has received high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Savannah. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (D), education (F) and employment (D).

Living in Savannah offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Savannah provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Savannah are: Historic Savannah Theatre, Oglethorpe Trolley Tours, and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Savannah has a violent crime rate of 20 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Savannah excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Savannah is actually affordable. The median home price for Savannah homes is $291,326, which is 4.7% higher than the Georgia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Savannah, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 16.2% higher than the Georgia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Savannah

See all the best places to live around Savannah

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      Savannah transportation information

      Statistic Savannah Georgia National
      Average one way commute21min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.3%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.3%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.2%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.4%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.7%1.6%2.8%
      Working from home6.4%5.1%4.6%
      Source: The Savannah, GA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.