Cost of Living: Savannah, GA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Savannah

Georgia
84
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Savannah is 16% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,302/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ≈ Same
$56,782/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 13%
$225,200 ↓ 36%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 56%
$1,257/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 9%
147,546
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

5.49%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Savannah, GA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 84 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $7,118/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Savannah is $225,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Savannah vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Savannah or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Savannah is cheaper to live in with an index of 84 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Savannah and Wilmington?
Median rent in Savannah is $1,302/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $9/month.
Which city has higher income, Savannah or Wilmington?
Median household income is $56,782 in Savannah and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $7,118/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Georgia and North Carolina?
Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Savannah or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Savannah has a cost index of 84 with median rent of $1,302/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Savannah details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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