Quick answer
Ann Arbor costs $270/month less overall ($1,740 vs $2,010/mo). Ann Arbor also has lower state income tax (4.25% vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor vs Savannah
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Ann Arbor vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Ann Arbor | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,550 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $485K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $160 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $330 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,740 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 75/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 52/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% ✓ | 5.39% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Ann Arbor's 1BR averages $1,250/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $200/month difference, or $2,400/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Ann Arbor charges 4.25% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $912/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $5,100 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $485K in Ann Arbor. At a 20% down payment, that's a $31,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $10 more per month than Ann Arbor.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Savannah, GA
Savannah is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Ann Arbor
Cold, snowy winters (15-30°F, 40-50 inches snow annually). Summers are mild (78-82°F, 55-65% humidity). Lake effect snow from Lake Michigan is significant.
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Ann Arbor top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Ann Arbor if…
- →You're a Students & alumni
- →You're a Academics & researchers
- →You're a Healthcare professionals
- →You're a Young professionals
- →You want to live without a car
Move to Savannah if…
- →You're a Artists and designers (SCAD alumni, creative economy)
- →You're a Aerospace and manufacturing professionals (Gulfstream)
- →You're a Southern charm seekers wanting walkable historic urban life
- →You're a Tourism/hospitality workers and business owners
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ann Arbor or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Ann Arbor is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,740 in Ann Arbor vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $270/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Ann Arbor or Savannah?
Ann Arbor is more walkable with a Walk Score of 75/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Ann Arbor vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Ann Arbor has lower state income tax (4.25%). On an $80K salary, that saves $912/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Ann Arbor or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $485K in Ann Arbor — a $155,000 difference on the median home.