Montgomery vs Savannah
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Savannah
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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