Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Savannah, GA
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Savannah, GA 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
| Winston-Salem | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Savannah and Winston-Salem are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.043 vs 95.206); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Savannah typical home at $326,509 is 3.4% above Winston-Salem at $264,333 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 48.1" |
Savannah runs 8.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.5Β°F vs 67.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Savannah sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.52 |
Household income lines up β $57,673 vs $56,782 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Savannah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,950 | $41,600 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,870 | $37,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $28,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 18,460 | $31,030 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,220 | $76,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Savannah average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 23.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Savannah?
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 Winston-Salem vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 1.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Savannah, GA from Winston-Salem, NC?
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.
Is Savannah more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 3.4% higher than Winston-Salem (95.206 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Savannah, GA.