Moving from Raleigh, NC to Savannah, GA
It is a 334 mi drive, roughly 6h 16m, between Raleigh, NC 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.
334 mi · 6h 16m by car · NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Fayetteville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4°F moving to Savannah per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Savannah — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.52 |
Savannah households earn about 3.0% less than Raleigh at the median — $82,424 → $56,782 on 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 North 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.
Winter driving along this route
- 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
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 24.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Savannah, GA from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 334 mi and the route typically takes 6h 16m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Savannah more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 3.0% lower than Raleigh (95.206 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (6.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 49.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 334 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 31.1% 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 Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Savannah, GA.