Savannah vs Chicago

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Georgia salaries · Illinois salaries

Living in Savannah vs Chicago

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Savannah has a housing index of 81 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Savannah costs $250,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in Savannah versus $1,700 in Chicago.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Savannah scores 100 while Chicago scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Savannah (98) are lower than Chicago (101). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Savannah is $45,210 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Savannah.

Relocating: Savannah vs Chicago

If you are considering a move between Savannah (index: 93) and Chicago (index: 107), the 13% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Savannah is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Savannah can afford $1,055/month, while the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month. With median homes at $250,000 in Savannah versus $310,000 in Chicago, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,300/month in Savannah and $1,700/month in Chicago, renters save significantly in Savannah. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Savannah where costs are 7% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Savannah (93) vs Chicago (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Savannah at 93 is 7% below the US average, while Chicago at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

A 14-point index spread separates Chicago from Savannah, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Savannah scores 81 and Chicago scores 112. That 31-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Savannah with indices of 81 versus 112. Median home prices of $250,000 in Savannah and $310,000 in Chicago underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,300/month in Savannah and $1,700/month in Chicago, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $60,000 difference in median home prices between Savannah and Chicago translates to roughly $3,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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