Moving from Palmdale, CA to Savannah, GA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Savannah, GA is a 2389 mi cross-country relocation — about 41h 59m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2389 mi · 41h 59m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 95.206, putting Savannah roughly 16.2% below Palmdale on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Savannah: 16.2% below Palmdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 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: PALMDALE, CA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.52 |
Median household income in Savannah is 16.2% below Palmdale ($81,151 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 34.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Savannah, GA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 2389 mi and the route typically takes 41h 59m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Savannah more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 16.2% lower than Palmdale (95.206 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (3.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 7.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 2389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Savannah, GA.