Savannah wins overall by ~20% (COL index)
Cost of living: Atlanta vs Savannah (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Atlanta buys roughly what $50,182 does in Savannah (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$6,412/yr
Favoring Savannah for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $534/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~29 months and still keep ~$64/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Atlanta Georgia | Savannah Georgia | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,200Wins | Savannah wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Savannah |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,500Wins | Savannah wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Savannah |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,000Wins | Savannah wins −$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Savannah |
| Median home price | $380K | $310KWins | Savannah wins −$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 97Better | Savannah wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Savannah wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $55Better | Savannah wins −$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $95 | $48Wins | Savannah wins −$47/mo | $564/yr saves in Savannah |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.10 | Atlanta wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $170 | $150Better | Savannah wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Savannah |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Better | $165 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $62 | Atlanta wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65KWins | $55K | Atlanta wins −$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.5%Better | 5.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.9% | 8.0%Better | Savannah wins -0.9 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40 | $38Better | Savannah wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Savannah wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 110 | 92Wins | Savannah wins -18 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 48Better | 48 | — | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Savannah fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Savannah.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atlanta cheaper than Savannah?
No. Savannah is 20% cheaper than Atlanta based on overall cost of living indices (92 vs 110, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Atlanta vs Savannah?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Atlanta is $1,900/month and in Savannah is $1,500/month. Atlanta is more expensive by 27%.
How much do I need to earn in Savannah to match a $75,000 salary in Atlanta?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $62,727/year in Savannah to match a $75,000 salary in Atlanta. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Atlanta or Savannah?
Savannah has the lower state income tax rate at 5.5% vs 5.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Atlanta to Savannah?
It depends on your priorities. Savannah offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Atlanta ↔ Savannah
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