Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Savannah, GA
The drive from Philadelphia, PA to Savannah, GA runs 730 mi — about 14h 2m 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.
730 mi · 14h 2m by car · PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 395, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Richmond, Raleigh, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Savannah is 7.2% cheaper than Philadelphia overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Savannah is 7.2% above Philadelphia — $231,815 vs $326,509 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 48.1" |
Climate warms by 9.8°F on the annual average — 57.7°F → 67.5°F.
Savannah gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.52 |
Income steps down 7.2%: $60,698 in Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
Is Savannah more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 7.2% lower than Philadelphia (95.206 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia 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 730 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 Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 40.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Savannah, GA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 730 mi and the route typically takes 14h 2m via I 95 and I 395. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (9.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 50.7 in.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 6.5% 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Savannah, GA.