Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Savannah, GA
The drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Savannah, GA runs 798 mi — about 15h 18m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
798 mi · 15h 18m by car · GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Fayetteville, Richmond, Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Savannah are 15.4% below Elizabeth — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Savannah typical home at $326,509 is 15.4% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 48.1" |
Climate warms by 12.0°F on the annual average — 55.5°F → 67.5°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Savannah sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.52 |
Income steps down 15.4%: $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $56,782 in Savannah.
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 New Jersey 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does the job market in Savannah compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Savannah more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 15.4% lower than Elizabeth (95.206 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Savannah, GA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 15h 18m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 38.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 11.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (12.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Savannah, GA.