Can I Afford to Live in Savannah vs San Antonio on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Savannah, GA
$2,545/mo take-home
Rent: $1,500/mo (59% of take-home)
Difficult
San Antonio, TX
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (40% of take-home)
Tight
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Monthly budget breakdown

Savannah
GA
San Antonio
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,545
$2,728Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,500
$1,100Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$369
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$48Best ✓
$48
Utilities
$165Best ✓
$175
Internet
$62
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$401/month
$992/month
San Antonio (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Savannah (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Savannah?

At $40K/year in Savannah, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,545. With 1BR rent around $1,500/month, rent takes up 59% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $40K a good salary in San Antonio?

At $40K/year in San Antonio, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 40% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

San Antonio leaves you with more money after core expenses — $992/month vs $401/month in Savannah.

Can I afford to live alone in Savannah on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Savannah would take 59% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Savannah vs San Antonio

$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only