Quick answer
Boise costs $150/month less overall ($1,860 vs $2,010/mo). But Savannah's 5.39% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $328/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Boise 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
Boise vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Boise | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,380 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,720 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $445K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,860 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 42/100 | 45/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 29/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.8% | 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: Boise's 1BR averages $1,380/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $70/month difference, or $840/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Savannah charges 5.39% state income tax vs 5.8% in Boise. On an $80K salary that's a $328/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,960 vs $6,468 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $445K in Boise. At a 20% down payment, that's a $23,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $35 more per month than Boise.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Boise, ID
Boise is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Savannah, GA
Savannah is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Boise
Four seasons; hot dry summers, cold winters with snow, 205 sunny days
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Boise top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Boise if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a remote workers from expensive West Coast cities
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a families
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 Boise or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Boise is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,860 in Boise vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $150/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Boise or Savannah?
Savannah is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 42/100. Boise is more car-dependent.
Boise vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Savannah has lower state income tax (5.39%). On an $80K salary, that saves $328/year vs Boise (5.8%).
Is Boise or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $445K in Boise — a $115,000 difference on the median home.