City Comparison

Savannah vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Savannah

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

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$52,600
Median Income

The Verdict

10.7%

Living in Winston-Salem costs 10.7% less than Savannah. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Savannah, you would need $67,742 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Savannah
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
100
Savannah
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
95
Savannah
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
101
Savannah
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
98
Savannah
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Savannah has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $83,036 in Savannah.

Living in Savannah vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Savannah's housing index of 81 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $250,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Savannah compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Savannah and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Savannah vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 95 in Savannah and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Savannah vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Savannah and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $45,210 in Savannah and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,613 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Savannah vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Savannah, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Savannah has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,742 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Savannah's housing index is 81 with median homes at $250,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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