Quick answer
Savannah costs $245/month less overall ($2,010 vs $2,255/mo). But Denver's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $792/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Denver 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: October 21, 2026
Denver vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Denver | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,740 | $1,750 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,250 | $1,750 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $565K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,255 | $2,010 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 61/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 44/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 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: Savannah's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $1,740 in Denver — a $290/month difference, or $3,480/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Denver charges 4.4% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $792/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $565K in Denver. At a 20% down payment, that's a $47,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $25 more per month than Denver.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Denver, CO
Denver'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
Denver
300 sunny days; dry winters with periodic snow (rarely extreme cold); hot low-humidity summers; 5,280 ft altitude affects nearly all newcomers for the first 1–3 weeks
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Denver top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Denver if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a craft beer lovers
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 Denver or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Savannah is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,010 in Savannah vs $2,255 in Denver — a $245/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Denver or Savannah?
Denver is more walkable with a Walk Score of 61/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Denver vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Denver has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $792/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Denver or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $565K in Denver — a $235,000 difference on the median home.