City Comparison
Atlanta vs Savannah
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Savannah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Savannah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
14% higher than Savannah's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Savannah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,650 | +14% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,600 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Atlanta offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Atlanta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Savannah.
| Metric | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 63,542 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $62,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Savannah sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | 67.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | 42.50°F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | 48.70 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 6.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 241 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Savannah has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Atlanta.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Savannah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Savannah.
From a growth perspective, Savannah is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Savannah has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Atlanta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 147,088 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
Savannah
Advantages
Home to one of the largest and fastest-growing container port complexes in the United States, driving robust regional logistics employment.
Stunning, preserved historic architecture and 22 iconic public squares providing unmatched aesthetic charm.
Proximity to coastal beaches like Tybee Island, just a 20-minute drive from the city center.
A thriving arts and design ecosystem anchored by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Cost of living that remains slightly below the U.S. national average, particularly outside the immediate historic core.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and high humidity levels can be intense and oppressive for several months.
Vulnerability to Atlantic tropical storms and hurricane season weather events.
Rising housing costs and short-term vacation rental conversions putting pressure on long-term local renters.
Pocketed property and violent crime rates in certain inner-city neighborhoods above national norms.
Limited heavy rail commuter transit options, making personal vehicle ownership virtually essential for suburban commutes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Atlanta
#148Georgia, USA
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Savannah
#308Georgia, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
67.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
70
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