Moving from Savannah, GA to Elizabeth, NJ
The drive from Savannah, GA to Elizabeth, NJ runs 798 mi — about 15h 18m 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.
798 mi · 15h 18m by car · GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Fayetteville, Richmond, Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 95.206 in Savannah to 112.563 in Elizabeth, a 18.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Elizabeth: 18.2% above Savannah on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 46.6" |
Climate cools by 12.0°F on the annual average — 67.5°F → 55.5°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.96 |
Income steps up 18.2%: $56,782 in Savannah vs $63,874 in Elizabeth.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.0°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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 63.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 12.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 18.2% higher than Savannah (112.563 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 15h 18m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 67.5°F in Savannah (12.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 48.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 798 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 · Elizabeth, NJ.