City Guide · Updated June 2026

Savannah,GA

Pop. 147,780Score7.5/10

$355k

Median Home

$1,750

Median Rent

Walk Score

6.8/10

Schools

Cost Index

Overview

America's most beautiful city, and it knows it.

Savannah, Georgia sits in Chatham County at 42 ft elevation, Charleston (105 mi). Population 147,780 · 3.2% annual job growth · major employers include Memorial Health, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace.

Savannah is the oldest planned city in the United States, and General Oglethorpe's 1733 grid of 22 garden squares is still the defining feature of life here. The Historic District is genuinely walkable in a way almost no other American city of this size is — moss-draped oaks, antebellum architecture, and squares every two blocks where people actually sit, read, and meet friends.

The economy runs on three legs: the Port of Savannah (one of the fastest-growing container ports in the country), Gulfstream Aerospace (which manufactures its private jets here), and tourism. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has invested heavily in restoring downtown buildings and brings a creative-class population that has reshaped the city since 1980.

The trade-offs are real: summer is hot, humid, and buggy; some neighborhoods just outside the Historic District have real safety concerns; and the housing market has gotten expensive as remote workers discovered it. But for buyers willing to do the neighborhood homework, few American cities offer this much character per dollar.

Best fit

Creatives and artists (SCAD draws a huge talent pool)
Logistics and port-industry workers
Retirees wanting historic Southern charm
Remote workers prioritizing walkability and aesthetics

Watch out for

Summer heat, humidity, and mosquitoes are intense
Some neighborhoods have meaningful safety issues — research carefully
Hurricane risk and rising flood insurance

History & economy

Savannah was founded in 1733 as the first city of the Georgia Colony, planned by General James Oglethorpe around its famous grid of garden squares — the oldest planned city in America still using its original layout.

Getting around

The Historic District is walkable; outside it you'll want a car. CAT bus service covers the urban core. SAV airport has decent national connections.

Food & culture

Deep Southern food culture (The Grey, Mrs. Wilkes, The Olde Pink House), serious cocktail scene, and SCAD-driven gallery and design culture.

Outdoors & climate

Tybee Island beach is 18 miles away; Skidaway Island State Park has marshes and trails; the Savannah River and Atlantic-coast paddling are immediate.

CountyChatham County

Founded1733

Area119 sq mi

Elevation42 ft

TimezoneEastern (ET)

ClimateSunny

Nearest Major CityCharleston (105 mi)

AirportSavannah/Hilton Head (SAV)

Quick Score Dashboard

How Savannah scores

60/100

Walkability

6.8/10

Schools

6/10

Safety

3.2%

Jobs

103

Affordability

7.5/10

Lifestyle

Photo Gallery

Savannah in pictures

A visual tour of Savannah, Georgia — neighborhoods, homes, parks and everyday street life.

8 photos

Neighborhoods

Explore Savannah

The Historic District is the walkable heart; Ardsley Park and Habersham Village are family-oriented; the Starland District is the indie/creative corridor; Tybee Island is the beach community 30 minutes east.

7.2/10

Downtown Savannah

Walk

6.4

Schools

7.5

Value

WalkableDiningArts

7.4/10

Savannah Heights

Walk

7.1

Schools

7.7

Value

HistoricFamily-Friendly

7.6/10

West Savannah

Walk

7.5

Schools

7.9

Value

Top SchoolsSuburban

7.8/10

Old Town Savannah

Walk

6.8

Schools

7.6

Value

HistoricTree-Lined

Location

Savannah from above

Satellite view of Savannah, GA. Explore the city's footprint, neighborhoods, parks, and proximity to highways and nearby cities.

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom · click the fullscreen icon for a larger viewOpen 3D / Earth view →

Live Listings

Properties in Savannah

Real, active listings refreshed daily. Tap a card to view details on the source site.

Cost of Living

Compared to the US national average

Housing

-12% vs US$1,450 → $1,280

Groceries

+3% vs US$620 → $640

Healthcare

+1% vs US$380 → $388

Transport

-8% vs US$480 → $420

Utilities

-8% vs US$180 → $165

Taxes

-10% vs US$2,100 → $1,890

Real Estate

24-month median home price

$355k

Median Price

$182

Price / sqft

Days on market

99.2%

List-to-sale

Honest Tradeoffs

Pros & cons of moving to Savannah

Pros

One of the most genuinely walkable American cities — the Historic District is unique.
Deep arts and creative culture driven by SCAD and a creative-class influx.
Beach access (Tybee Island) 30 minutes from downtown.
Real Southern food culture and cocktail scene.

Cons

Summer heat and mosquitoes are punishing.
Real safety differences neighborhood-to-neighborhood — due diligence matters.
Tourism crowds in the Historic District in peak season.
Hurricane risk and flood insurance costs are rising.

In-depth

Why Savannah is worth your consideration

The profile

Savannah, Georgia occupies a specific niche in the American relocation map. With a population of 147,780 and median home prices around $355,000, the city is squarely mid-sized — large enough to support a real economy, small enough that traffic, housing, and day-to-day logistics stay manageable. It sits charleston (105 mi), in Chatham County, which shapes both the job market and the cultural pull from the larger metro nearby. Founded in 1733, Savannah has the kind of layered history that gives a place a personality beyond its data — neighborhoods built across different decades, an established downtown, and major employers like Memorial Health and SCAD that anchor the local economy. The cost of living index of 97 puts it near the national average — neither a bargain nor punishing, which is the headline reason most newcomers look here in the first place.

The honest reality check

That said, Savannah is not perfect, and pretending it is would do you no favors. Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Savannah regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Winters are mild and short. Air conditioning is non-negotiable, and most residents shift errands and outdoor activity to early morning or after 6 p.m. during peak summer. The school system rates 6.8/10, which reads as acceptable — average to slightly-above, with district-by-district variation. Safety scores at 6/10 — roughly typical for a mid-size American city — real but manageable property crime, low violent crime in most neighborhoods. The walkability score of 60/100 means you can genuinely run errands on foot in the core neighborhoods. Public transit is limited but exists. If you don't tolerate heat well, expect a real adjustment period of 60–90 days. Electric bills spike from May through September. None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but together they describe the texture of life here — and they matter more than a single headline ranking.

Who should — and shouldn't — move here

Savannah fits a specific kind of household well. Remote workers earning a strong salary tend to do best — a $355,000 median home price means your housing budget stretches dramatically further than it would in a tier-1 metro, and the job market is stable and modestly growing (3.2% annually) around employers like Memorial Health, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace, which matters less if your paycheck arrives from elsewhere. Families prioritizing space and value over elite school districts tend to be happy, particularly if the local schools (rated acceptable — average to slightly-above, with district-by-district variation) match what their kids actually need. Retirees and career changers looking to reset financially find the cost structure genuinely supportive. Who tends to be unhappy here? People who expected dense, walkable urban living and discovered they need a car; professionals who require a tier-1 local job market and don't have remote flexibility; families who assumed schools would be elite without checking; and anyone who underestimated sunny weather. Self-awareness about fit matters more than any ranking — including ours.

Market trajectory

Savannah's housing market trajectory is, frankly, more interesting than dramatic. Median prices around $355,000 with median rents at $1,750/month put it in a band where buying becomes mathematically reasonable for people with stable income. Job growth of 3.2% per year is enough to keep the local economy stable without creating speculative pressure. Compared to overheated Sunbelt markets (Austin, Nashville, Phoenix) where appreciation has been 8–12% annually and the risk of buying at a peak is real, Savannah's market behaves more like a working city than a casino. For buyers who plan to stay 5+ years, this is a feature, not a bug. Inventory in 2026 remains adequate, and negotiating power exists on the buyer side in most neighborhoods outside the top-rated school zones.

A Practical Timeline

Your first 90 days in Savannah

Days 1–14 · Logistics

Days 1–14 are logistics. Get your driver's license transferred and your vehicle registered — Georgia DMV processes are reasonable but plan a half-day. Open a local bank account (national banks and a credit union both work; locals often prefer the credit union for service). Spend the first weekend driving the city — Savannah's personality comes through faster from behind the wheel than from any guide. Stock the pantry: groceries here run about at the national average, and you'll find that the major chains (HEB, Publix, Kroger, or regional equivalents depending on which is dominant locally) plus a handful of specialty stores cover almost everything. Set up utilities — power, water, internet — and budget around $180–$240/month combined for a typical household. By day 10, you should have a functional baseline.

Days 15–45 · Integration

Days 15–45 are integration and the first real challenges. Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Savannah regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Air conditioning is non-negotiable, and most residents shift errands and outdoor activity to early morning or after 6 p.m. during peak summer. Socially, Savannah is small enough that the same faces appear at the same places, which is either charming or claustrophobic depending on your temperament. Work-wise, if you're remote, you'll appreciate the quiet — cafes have seats, internet is reliable, and you'll get more done than you did in your last city. If you're job-hunting locally, expect the market to be the job market is stable and modestly growing (3.2% annually) around employers like Memorial Health, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace. Around day 30 it's normal to hit a "wait, is this it?" wave — this passes in almost everyone who stays past day 60. The people who leave usually decide by week 6.

Days 46–90 · Settling in

Days 46–90 are settling in. By now you have favorite places — a coffee shop, two or three restaurants, a route you run or bike, a grocery store where you know the layout. If you bought a home, the size and value start sinking in positively; if you rented first (a smart move for most newcomers), you'll have a clearer sense of which neighborhood actually fits your life rather than the one that looked best on the listing site. The honest truth: residents who stay past 90 days in Savannah usually stay for years. The people who leave early are almost always those who didn't realistically check the sunny climate, the walkability ceiling, or the local job market against their actual lives. By month three, you have real data — not assumptions — and you can decide whether Savannah is a one-year stop or a decade-long home.

Detailed Neighborhood Analysis

A closer look at where to live

Downtown Savannah

$309k–$380k·Walk 88/100·Walkable core, mixed-use, older housing stock

Downtown Savannah is the part of Savannah where walkable core, mixed-use, older housing stock defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $309k–$380k band, with walkability around 88/100 — genuinely walkable for daily life.

History & character

The downtown core represents the oldest commercial heart of the city, with buildings dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s that have been progressively restored over the past two decades. The current revitalization is real but gradual — it's not a manufactured 'arts district,' it's an actual place that functioned for a century.

Schools

Schools serving Downtown Savannah rate around 6.4/10 — below the city average; families here often look at magnet, charter, or nearby district options.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward cafes, small restaurants, art galleries, and weekend foot traffic. Nightlife is modest by big-city standards but real — usually a few hundred people out on a Saturday rather than thousands.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Downtown Savannah runs roughly $1,746–$2,078 for rent, or roughly $1,923 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: young professionals, downsizing empty-nesters, remote workers who value walkability. Less good fit: families needing top-tier schools or wanting a large yard.

Savannah Heights

$344k–$415k·Walk 66/100·Established residential, tree-lined streets

Savannah Heights is the part of Savannah where established residential, tree-lined streets defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $344k–$415k band, with walkability around 66/100 — walkable in pockets, but you'll still drive for major errands.

History & character

Savannah Heights came together mostly between the 1940s and 1970s — solid mid-century housing, mature trees, walkable to neighborhood schools, and the kind of stable residential character that takes generations to build.

Schools

Schools serving Savannah Heights rate around 7.1/10 — average, with the usual public-school variation you'd expect — check the specific elementary boundary before buying.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward a mix of older residential blocks and a handful of neighborhood-serving businesses — coffee, a hardware store, a couple of restaurants — without much nightlife.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Savannah Heights runs roughly $1,929–$2,297 for rent, or roughly $2,112 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: families with school-age kids who want character over new construction. Less good fit: buyers prioritizing walkability or new construction.

West Savannah

$380k–$451k·Walk 50/100·Newer suburban development, top-rated schools

West Savannah is the part of Savannah where newer suburban development, top-rated schools defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $380k–$451k band, with walkability around 50/100 — walkable in pockets, but you'll still drive for major errands.

History & character

Most of West Savannah was developed from the 1990s onward, with master-planned subdivisions, newer schools, and the kind of street grid that prioritizes cul-de-sacs over connectivity. It's where the city expanded to accommodate growth without disturbing the older fabric.

Schools

Schools serving West Savannah rate around 7.5/10 — solid above-average, fine for most families without needing to look at private alternatives.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward chain restaurants in retail centers, newer gyms and grocery stores, and a more car-oriented rhythm. Convenient for families managing logistics, less interesting for people who want streetscape.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in West Savannah runs roughly $2,113–$2,516 for rent, or roughly $2,301 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: school-focused families willing to drive for everything. Less good fit: people who hate driving everywhere or want urban texture.

Old Town Savannah

$327k–$398k·Walk 74/100·Historic district, smaller lots, character homes

Old Town Savannah is the part of Savannah where historic district, smaller lots, character homes defines the character. Median single-family prices land roughly in the $327k–$398k band, with walkability around 74/100 — genuinely walkable for daily life.

History & character

The historic district preserves the original residential footprint of the city — bungalows, craftsmans, and modest two-stories on smaller lots, almost all built before 1950. Many have been carefully renovated; some still wait for the right owner.

Schools

Schools serving Old Town Savannah rate around 6.8/10 — average, with the usual public-school variation you'd expect — check the specific elementary boundary before buying.

Lifestyle & amenities

Day-to-day lifestyle leans toward quiet, walkable residential streets with a couple of long-running neighborhood cafes and a real sense of community calendar — block parties, holiday gatherings, casual front-porch culture.

What it actually costs

Real monthly cost for a 3-bedroom home in Old Town Savannah runs roughly $1,838–$2,188 for rent, or roughly $2,017 for a typical owner's monthly carrying cost (P&I at 6.5% on 20% down, taxes, basic insurance — HOA and PMI extra).

Who fits here

Best fit: buyers who prioritize architecture and walkable streets over new amenities. Less good fit: buyers who want move-in-perfect newer construction.

Real monthly numbers

What life actually costs in Savannah

Three example households, with realistic 2026 numbers built from Savannah's actual cost index, median rent ($1,750), and median home price ($355,000). Your number will vary — these are honest baselines, not aspirational marketing.

Single remote worker, age 28, $85,000 salary

Income: $85,000/year

Rent (1-bed, decent neighborhood)Studios run ~15% less	$1,488/mo
Groceries	$369/mo
Car payment + insurance + gas	$420/mo
Utilities + internet	$165/mo
Phone + streaming + subscriptions	$95/mo
Health insurance (employer plan share)	$160/mo
Going out, gym, hobbies	$320/mo
Total monthly cost	$3,017/mo

After federal and state taxes (roughly $18,700/year), monthly take-home runs about $5,525. Living costs of $3,017/month leave roughly $2,508/month for aggressive savings or lifestyle inflation. Most remote workers at this salary genuinely save 25%+ of gross — that's the Savannah math.

Family of 4, both parents working, $135,000 household

Income: $135,000/year

Mortgage P&I + taxes + insurance (median home, 20% down)6.5% rate, 30-year	$2,027/mo
Groceries (family of 4)	$1,067/mo
Two cars (payments, insurance, fuel)	$720/mo
Utilities + internet	$233/mo
Childcare or after-school (school-age kids)	$450/mo
Family health insurance share	$480/mo
Activities, eating out, family extras	$520/mo
Total monthly cost	$5,497/mo

Take-home around $8,550/month after taxes. Core costs of $5,497/month leave roughly $3,053/month for retirement savings, 529 contributions, vacations, and the unexpected. Tight in higher-cost neighborhoods, comfortable in most of the city.

Retired couple, age 67, $58,000 combined SS + small pension

Income: $58,000/year

Property tax + insurance on paid-off median home	$465/mo
Groceries	$407/mo
One car (insurance, fuel, maintenance — no payment)	$220/mo
Utilities + internet	$175/mo
Medicare premiums + supplement	$280/mo
Prescriptions + out-of-pocket health	$140/mo
Travel, hobbies, eating out, gifts	$360/mo
Total monthly cost	$2,047/mo

Net income roughly $4,833/month (most retirement income is partially taxed). Living costs of $2,047/month leave a modest buffer — secure rather than wealthy. Beats trying to retire on the same income in a coastal metro by a wide margin.

Honest Answers

Questions from people considering Savannah

How bad is the sunny weather, really?

Expect long, hot summers — daytime highs in Savannah regularly clear 90°F (32°C) from June through September, with elevated humidity most afternoons. Winters are mild and short. If you don't tolerate heat well, expect a real adjustment period of 60–90 days. Electric bills spike from May through September. Realistic answer: most people adapt within a year, but a meaningful minority never do. If you're considering Savannah and you've never lived in this climate, plan a one-week visit during the worst month (August) before committing.

Are the schools actually good, or just "good for the area"?

Schools rate 6.8/10 — acceptable — average to slightly-above, with district-by-district variation. That's the citywide average; individual elementary and high school zones vary noticeably. Before buying in a specific neighborhood, look up the exact attendance zone on the district website and check GreatSchools and Niche for that school specifically, not the city overall.

Is it safe?

Safety scores at 6/10 — roughly typical for a mid-size American city — real but manageable property crime, low violent crime in most neighborhoods. Property crime is the more common concern (car break-ins, package theft) than violent crime in most neighborhoods. Standard urban hygiene applies: lock your car, don't leave valuables visible, install a basic camera. Specific high-crime corridors exist; ask local Reddit or a real estate agent which streets to avoid.

Can I find a job locally, or do I need to be remote?

the job market is stable and modestly growing (3.2% annually) around employers like Memorial Health, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace. If you have a remote job already, this question is irrelevant and Savannah is genuinely a great deal. If you need to job-hunt locally, expect salaries in the $55–80k range for most professional roles, with the major employers (Memorial Health, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace) setting the upper end.

How's traffic and getting around?

Walkability is 60/100 and transit is 28/100 — practically, you can live a meaningful share of your life on foot in the core. Traffic is minimal — most drives are under 20 minutes door to door. Plan for car ownership; budget $4,500–5,500/year per car all-in.

Should I rent first or buy right away?

Rent for 3–6 months unless you already know Savannah well. A $1,750/month median rent on a 2–3 bedroom buys you time to learn the neighborhoods, test the commute, and avoid the most common relocation mistake: buying in the wrong part of town because the listing photos were prettier. After six months, you'll have a confident view on whether to buy and where.

What's the social scene like for newcomers?

Small enough that you'll see the same faces at the same places — charming if you're sociable, isolating if you're not. The fastest on-ramps are gyms, faith communities, hobby leagues, and (for parents) school-based networks. Expect 3–6 months to feel genuinely connected, longer if you're remote and don't have a built-in coworker network.

Are property taxes high?

Property taxes in Georgia are roughly average nationally — expect about 0.8–1.2% of assessed value per year. On a $355,000 median home, that's about $3,550/year. Insurance varies more by neighborhood and property than by city.

What's the food and dining scene actually like?

Honest answer: the scene is decent and improving — a handful of genuinely good restaurants, the major cuisines represented, a growing craft beer presence, and the chain options for the rest. You won't be wowed weekly, but you won't be starved. Grocery quality is fine — major chains plus usually one or two specialty options.

Will I regret moving here?

Depends entirely on what you expected. If you came expecting affordable space, manageable lifestyle, and a slower rhythm than a tier-1 metro — most people are quietly happy here, and the people who quietly stay for decades outnumber the ones who leave. If you came expecting urban density, elite schools, nonstop nightlife, or rapid career advancement in a local company — you'll be disappointed within a year. By day 90 you'll know. Trust that instinct.

Also Consider

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Data sources & freshness

Last updated: January 2026

All figures on the Savannah, GA profile are compiled from verified public and industry datasets. Nabelly is independent — we accept no paid placements from cities, brokers, or developers. See our methodology for how scores are calculated.

U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year)
Population, demographics, income, commute
Bureau of Labor Statistics (QCEW & OEWS)
Employment, wages, industry mix
Zillow Home Value Index
Median home values
GreatSchools.org
School ratings
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)
Safety scores
Walk Score
Walkability
NOAA Climate Normals
Weather, sunshine, rainfall

Disclaimer: Figures are estimates for research purposes and may lag real-time market conditions. Verify critical numbers with a local professional before making relocation, purchase, or employment decisions.