Moving from Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC
It is a 116 mi drive, roughly 2h 37m, between Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC. 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.
116 mi · 2h 37m by car · SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 17, SC 7, GA 404 SPUR |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.0% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $326,509 to $589,607 moving to Charleston.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 44.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Savannah (67.5°F) and Charleston (67.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.29 |
Charleston households earn about 6.0% more than Savannah at the median — $56,782 → $90,038 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Charleston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,720 | $41,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,780 | $28,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,680 | $34,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,150 | $38,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,230 | $79,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Carolina'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
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- 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 South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Charleston, SC from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 116 mi and the route typically takes 2h 37m via US 17 and SC 7. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Charleston compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 58.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Charleston more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 6.0% higher than Savannah (100.962 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Charleston compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 80.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Charleston, SC.