Quick answer
Savannah costs $75/month less overall ($2,010 vs $2,085/mo). But Orlando's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $4,312/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Orlando 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
Orlando vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Orlando | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,580 | $1,750 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,980 | $1,750 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $370K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $340 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,085 | $2,010 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 41/100 | 45/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 30/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 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 $1,580 in Orlando — a $130/month difference, or $1,560/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Orlando charges None state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $4,312/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $370K in Orlando. At a 20% down payment, that's a $8,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $5 more per month than Orlando.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Orlando, FL
Orlando 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
Orlando
Subtropical: hot humid summers with daily afternoon thunderstorms; mild dry winters (60s°F)
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Orlando top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Orlando if…
- →You're a hospitality / tourism workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a families
- →You want zero state income tax
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 Orlando or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Savannah is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,010 in Savannah vs $2,085 in Orlando — a $75/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Orlando or Savannah?
Savannah is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 41/100. Orlando is more car-dependent.
Orlando vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Orlando has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $4,312/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Orlando or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $370K in Orlando — a $40,000 difference on the median home.