Moving from Savannah, GA to Winston-Salem, NC
Moving from Savannah, GA to Winston-Salem, NC covers 338 mi and about 6h 29m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
338 mi Β· 6h 29m by car Β· NC β SC β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 77, I 95, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Concord, Charlotte, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Winston-Salem and Savannah is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Winston-Salem is 3.3% below Savannah ($264,333 vs $326,509 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Savannah | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 43.2" |
Winston-Salem is 8.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (67.5Β°F vs 59.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Savannah ($56,782) and Winston-Salem ($57,673) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
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 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
- 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
- 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
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 271,620 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 3.3% lower than Savannah (92.043 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $56,782 in Savannah β a 1.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 29m via I 77 and I 95. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $326,509 in Savannah β a 19.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA Β· Winston-Salem, NC.