Quick answer
Durham costs $205/month less overall ($1,805 vs $2,010/mo). Durham also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham 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
Durham vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% ✓ | 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: Durham's 1BR averages $1,350/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Durham charges 4.75% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $512/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $19,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $35 more per month than Durham.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Durham, NC
Durham'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
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Durham top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
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 Durham or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $205/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Savannah?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Durham has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $512/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Durham or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $425K in Durham — a $95,000 difference on the median home.