Moving from North Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA
It is a 115 mi drive, roughly 2h 33m, between North Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
115 mi · 2h 33m by car · GA → SC
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17 ALT, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Savannah than North Charleston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.7% above North Charleston — $309,522 → $326,509 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Charleston | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 48.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.52 |
Households in Savannah earn about 5.7% less at the median — 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 South 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.
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
Is Savannah more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 5.7% lower than North Charleston (95.206 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $62,789 in North Charleston — a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston 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 115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $309,522 in North Charleston — a 5.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Savannah, GA from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 115 mi and the route typically takes 2h 33m via I 95 and US 17 ALT. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between North Charleston and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 66.5°F in North Charleston (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.3 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 52.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC · Savannah, GA.