City Comparison
Augusta vs Savannah
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Savannah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
Savannah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Augusta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Savannah.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
18% lower than Savannah's.
| Metric | Augusta | Savannah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,650 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,600 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Savannah offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Augusta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Augusta is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Savannah.
| Metric | Augusta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 63,542 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $62,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Augusta comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Savannah sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 67.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | 42.50°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 48.70 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 6.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 241 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Savannah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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 | Augusta | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 147,088 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Augusta
Advantages
Average monthly rent sits near $1,350, offering high affordability compared to the national average per Zillow data.
Robust employment anchors in healthcare and military technology, including Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University.
Rich recreational lifestyle highlighted by the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and premier year-round golfing.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 to 24 minutes reduce daily travel strain.
Lower overall cost of living indices that run notably below the U.S. average per federal economic data.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in certain urban core districts remain higher than national averages per Census figures.
High summer temperatures and humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak months.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting.
Local educational attainment metrics show lower percentages of bachelor's degrees than national benchmarks.
Property crime rates in specific pockets of the inner city require residents to maintain heightened awareness.
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.
Augusta
#399Georgia, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
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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