Moving from Savannah, GA to Fayetteville, NC
It is a 273 mi drive, roughly 5h 8m, between Savannah, GA and Fayetteville, NC. 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.
273 mi · 5h 8m by car · NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95 BUSINESS, US 301, US 17 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Savannah and Fayetteville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $326,509 in Savannah to $225,534 in Fayetteville, a 3.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 47.9" |
Annual temperature drops 5.6°F moving to Fayetteville per NOAA normals.
Expect 1.2 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.57 |
Household income lines up — $56,782 vs $56,395 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North 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.
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 Fayetteville average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 3.4% lower than Savannah (91.978 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 30.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Fayetteville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Fayetteville vs 67.5°F in Savannah (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 48.1 in.
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 5h 8m via I 95 BUSINESS and US 301. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 0.7% 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Fayetteville, NC.