Moving from Savannah, GA to Los Angeles, CA
Moving from Savannah, GA to Los Angeles, CA is a 2433 mi cross-country relocation — about 42h 39m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2433 mi · 42h 39m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 19.3% higher than Savannah, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 19.3% above Savannah — $326,509 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Savannah (67.5°F) and Los Angeles (63.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Los Angeles is 19.3% above Savannah ($56,782 vs $80,366, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 67.5°F in Savannah (3.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 48.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 191.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2433 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 41.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 19.3% higher than Savannah (113.566 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 2433 mi and the route typically takes 42h 39m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Los Angeles, CA.