City Comparison

Montgomery vs Savannah

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

Savannah

Georgia
93
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$45,210
Median Income

The Verdict

15.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.1%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to $88,291 in Savannah.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
49
Montgomery
81
Savannah
Groceries
99
Montgomery
100
Savannah
Utilities
115
Montgomery
95
Savannah
Transportation
92
Montgomery
101
Savannah
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
98
Savannah

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $88,291 in Savannah.

Conversely, $75,000 in Savannah equals $63,710 in Montgomery.

Living in Montgomery vs Savannah

Housing Costs

Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Savannah's 81, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $250,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,300/mo in Savannah, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 100 in Savannah. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery vs $475/month in Savannah. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Montgomery and 95 in Savannah. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $380 in Savannah. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 98 in Savannah. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $45,210 in Savannah. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 and $48,613 respectively. Montgomery residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,055/month in Savannah. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Savannah, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 15.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,291 in Savannah, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Savannah's is 81 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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