Moving from McKinney, TX to Savannah, GA
The drive from McKinney, TX to Savannah, GA runs 1004 mi β about 18h 59m 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.
1004 mi Β· 18h 59m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Plano, Allen, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Savannah are 7.6% below McKinney β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Savannah typical home at $326,509 is 7.6% under McKinney at $481,963 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 48.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 67.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Savannah sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.52 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.6% between McKinney and Savannah (ACS 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 Texas 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Savannah average 92Β°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
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1004 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Savannah, GA from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 1004 mi and the route typically takes 18h 59m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 52.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 32.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Savannah more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 7.6% lower than McKinney (95.206 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Savannah, GA.