City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Savannah
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Savannah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Savannah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
18% higher than Savannah's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Savannah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,650 | +18% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $2,600 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 34% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brookhaven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Savannah.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 63,542 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $62,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Savannah sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 67.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | 42.50°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 48.70 in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | 6.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | 241 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Savannah has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Brookhaven.
Brookhaven 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 | Brookhaven | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Savannah is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brookhaven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 147,088 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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