Savannah, GA

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Savannah, GA? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Savannah, GA

Wandering the historic, moss-draped streets of Savannah is arguably one of the locals’ most beloved pastimes, especially in the spring when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom. Known as the “Hostess City of the South,” Savannah is a masterclass in urban planning; its 22 historic squares serve as communal living rooms for the more than 158,000 residents who value a slow, intentional pace of life. While Savannah is famous for its cemeteries and cobblestone riverfront, it is a place where the cost of living remains affordable, making a coastal lifestyle surprisingly in reach.

Savannah is a creative force to be reckoned with, largely fueled by the world-renowned Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This artistic energy flows through the community in vibrant galleries, street murals and the annual SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival, where Forsyth Park is transformed into a massive chalk art gallery. For performing arts, the Lucas and Trustees theaters are historic standouts, while the Starland District offers a more modern counterpoint with live shows at Victory North.

A robust economy matches this creative innovation. Home to the Port of Savannah, one of the nation’s fastest-growing shipping hubs, the city has become a powerhouse for logistics, manufacturing and aerospace, creating a stable professional landscape that complements Savannah’s free spirit.

Community is essential to the way of life in Savannah, and the city is deeply committed to ensuring its growth is as inclusive as its history is deep. Initiatives such as the Savannah Interagency Diversity Council and the long-running Savannah Black Heritage Festival demonstrate a commitment to equity and cultural preservation. From its famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade to a year-round calendar of festivals, Savannah remains a city that brings everyone together. 

Top Reasons to Move to Savannah

• Savannah has a creative flair. Home to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a year-round calendar of music, film and food festivals, Savannah is a melting pot of culture and the arts. 
• Savannah is a historic hotspot, famous for its 22 town squares, cobblestone streets and one of the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the U.S.
• Home to the Port of Savannah – one of the busiest in the country – and Gulfstream Aerospace, a large private employer, Savannah has become a major global and manufacturing hub.
• Savannah offers an affordable, high-quality coastal lifestyle, with lower housing costs than other Atlantic coastal cities and easy access to Tybee Island’s beaches.

Savannah is a beautiful coastal city and the oldest settlement in Georgia, perched on a bluff overlooking the Savannah River. Known as the “Hostess City of the South,” Savannah is just 15 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean in the state’s southeastern corner. The city is a major transportation hub, serving as the eastern terminus of Interstate 16 and a primary stop along the I-95 corridor, which connects the entire Eastern Seaboard. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located just 12 miles northwest of the Historic District, offering a seamless arrival into the Lowcountry. When you’re ready to explore the surrounding Lowcountry and beyond, here’s how close you are to some major nearby destinations:

• Tybee Island, GA, just 18 miles east, where you can climb the historic Tybee Lighthouse or enjoy a classic day of sun and surf on “Savannah’s Beach.”
• Hilton Head Island, SC, 35 miles northeast and famous for its world-class golf courses, expansive bike trails and coastal resorts.
• Atlanta, GA, about 248 miles north, andhome to the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

Residents enjoy a humid subtropical climate with long, hot and humid summers and short, mild winters. Savannah’s coastal location provides sea breezes for some relief.

Savannah is a national standout for economic growth and a triple threat in industry – port, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The city has evolved from a historic trading post into a global logistics hotspot. The Port of Savannah is the region’s single largest economic driver, and it keeps growing each year. The port effect has reshaped Savannah into a massive distribution hub, attracting global giants like Amazon, Wayfair and Target to establish regional fulfillment centers.

The manufacturing sector is dominated by the Savannah “super cluster” – a high-density area of aerospace and automotive giants, like Gulfstream Aerospace and Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America.

The cost of living in Savannah is lower than the national average. The median home value in Savannah is $296,927, and the average household income is $60,503.

Georgia residents pay a state income tax, and those living in Savannah can expect a combined 7.0% sales tax rate in 2026.

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Savannah is basically a living museum, and there is no shortage of things to do. The Landmark Historic District is the heart of the city and a walkable treasure trove of 18th-century architecture and cobblestone streets. Residents and visitors gravitate toward Forsyth Park, a 30-acre area anchored by its famous cast-iron fountain and a popular Saturday farmers market. Another favorite locale is the Plant Riverside District, which transformed a former power plant into a sprawling riverfront entertainment hub. And, because Savannah is a historical hotspot, there are plenty of museums and entertainment options. The Telfair Museums offers an exploration of Savannah’s past through its collection of museums, including the Jepson Center and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters. At the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, which is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of the USA, visitors can learn about Juliette’s life and the Girl Scout Movement she founded.  

As a city that values its history, Savannah offers world-class heritage sites, including the First African Baptist Church and Bonaventure Cemetery, famous for its Victorian monuments. The creative spirit flows throughout Savannah, thanks to SCAD, and the SCAD Museum of Art is not to be missed. The city’s social calendar is jam-packed, headlined by the Savannah Music Festival in the spring and the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in the fall, which draws talent from all over the globe to the city’s historic theaters. As Savannah prepares for the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026, the city is reflecting on its revolutionary roots with special commemorative events and the ongoing renovation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center. Whether you’re browsing the open-air stalls of City Market, catching a free “Phil the Park” concert at the bandshell or planning a seaside escape to nearby Tybee Island, life in Savannah is full of fun.

Outdoor adventures in Savannah are defined by the city’s historic grandeur and coastal coolness. If you’re itching to spend your time outside in Savannah, you’ll find no shortage of opportunities. Savannah is home to 22 parks, and arguably the most well-known is Forsyth Park. Stretching across 30 acres, Forsyth features walking paths, lush lawns perfect for picnicking and a massive fountain that is Savannah’s most memorable landmark. Skidaway Island State Park offers several miles of trails through salt marshes and maritime forests, and families love the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, where kids can explore the forest loop and see bison, wolves and alligators.

Savannah is surrounded by Lowcountry waterways, which provide endless opportunities for aquatic adventures. Kayakers and paddleboarders can try their hand on the tidal creeks of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge or watch for dolphins on Tybee Island. The Truman Linear Park Trail is the first completed segment of the 30-mile Tide to Town urban trail network that will provide paved routes for cyclists and runners and eventually connect more than 60 neighborhoods. Golfers have several public courses to choose from, and a local favorite is the Bacon Park Golf Course. And pup owners can let their dogs run off-leash at the shaded Herty Pines Dog Park or downtown-adjacent Mother Matilda Beasley Park.

Savannah’s foodie scene can’t be missed, and its restaurants are truly one-of-a-kind. From freshly caught seafood and soul food to inventive cocktails and local craft brews, Savannah is the place to be if you love a good meal, drinks with friends or local farm-to-table fare.  At The Olde Pink House, a Savannah staple, diners enjoy crispy flounder and she-crab soup in a candlelit Georgian mansion. For a communal experience, Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room is the ultimate family-style lunch where strangers can become friends while sharing platters of fried chicken and collard greens. For a refined afternoon, The Gryphon Tea Room, operated by SCAD, offers tea service and espresso in a 1920s Scottish Rite building filled with mahogany bookcases.

In the Starland District and along the River Street waterfront, Savannah’s social scene comes alive. Spots like Two Tides Brewing Co., which specializes in hazy IPAs and sours in an art-filled space, showcases how the city’s creativity slips into everything around town. If you want a long-standing local spot, the Crystal Beer Parlor, open since 1933, has a huge tap list and is known for its legendary creamy crab stew. Savannah also has an open-container law within the Historic District, allowing you to wander cobblestone streets with a roadie in hand. Whether you’re sipping a rum cocktail at the famed Pirates’ House or catching a sunset frosé at Peregrin, Savannah is full of fun.

Savannah’s educational offerings are as eclectic as the city is – the world’s leading art and design university runs side-by-side with Georgia’s oldest public HBCU. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) is a leader in choice education, offering nearly 30 specialty programs. The Windsor Forest Aviation Program offers students a path to the aerospace industry through partnerships with Gulfstream, and the Savannah Arts Academy is an audition-based visual and performing arts high school. Private and parochial schools are a popular option in Savannah, too. There are several faith-based and single sex options.