Moving from Savannah, GA to Detroit, MI
It is 876 mi between Savannah and Detroit β roughly 17h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
876 mi Β· 17h 9m by car Β· MI β OH β WV β VA β NC β SC β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β WV β VA β NC β SC β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 77, I 64, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Detroit runs about 5.3% more expensive overall than Savannah β RPP 95.206 β 100.298.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $326,509 in Savannah to $75,358 in Detroit, a 5.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Savannah | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 17.2Β°F β 67.5Β°F in Savannah vs 50.3Β°F in Detroit, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.51 |
Detroit households earn about 5.3% less than Savannah at the median β $56,782 β $39,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 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 Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $56,782 in Savannah β a 30.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Detroit more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 5.3% higher than Savannah (100.298 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $326,509 in Savannah β a 76.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 876 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Detroit, MI from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 876 mi and the route typically takes 17h 9m via I 77 and I 64. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA Β· Detroit, MI.