Moving from Cary, NC to Savannah, GA
Moving from Cary, NC to Savannah, GA covers 340 mi and about 6h 26m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
340 mi · 6h 26m by car · NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Raleigh, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Cary (98.157) and Savannah (95.206) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Savannah: 3.0% below Cary on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 48.1" |
Savannah runs 7.4°F warmer on the annual average (60.1°F vs 67.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.52 |
Median household income in Savannah is 3.0% below Cary ($129,399 vs $56,782, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Savannah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,950 | $41,600 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,870 | $37,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $28,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 18,460 | $31,030 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,220 | $76,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Savannah average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $626,396 in Cary — a 47.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Savannah, GA from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 340 mi and the route typically takes 6h 26m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 340 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 60.1°F in Cary (7.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Savannah more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 3.0% lower than Cary (95.206 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $129,399 in Cary — a 56.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Savannah, GA.