City Comparison
Albany vs Savannah
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Savannah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Savannah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Savannah.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
42% lower than Savannah's.
| Metric | Albany | Savannah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,650 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $240 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,600 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Savannah offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Savannah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Savannah.
| Metric | Albany | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 63,542 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $62,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.39999999999999°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Savannah sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | 67.90°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | 42.50°F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | 48.70 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 6.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 241 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albany has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Savannah.
Savannah scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Savannah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Albany | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Savannah is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Albany.
From a growth perspective, Savannah is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Savannah has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 147,088 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
Savannah
Advantages
Home to one of the largest and fastest-growing container port complexes in the United States, driving robust regional logistics employment.
Stunning, preserved historic architecture and 22 iconic public squares providing unmatched aesthetic charm.
Proximity to coastal beaches like Tybee Island, just a 20-minute drive from the city center.
A thriving arts and design ecosystem anchored by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Cost of living that remains slightly below the U.S. national average, particularly outside the immediate historic core.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and high humidity levels can be intense and oppressive for several months.
Vulnerability to Atlantic tropical storms and hurricane season weather events.
Rising housing costs and short-term vacation rental conversions putting pressure on long-term local renters.
Pocketed property and violent crime rates in certain inner-city neighborhoods above national norms.
Limited heavy rail commuter transit options, making personal vehicle ownership virtually essential for suburban commutes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
Savannah
#308Georgia, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
67.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Albany and Savannah.
Open Cost Calculator