Quick answer
Plano costs $145/month less overall ($1,865 vs $2,010/mo). Plano also has lower state income tax (None vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Plano 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
Plano vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Plano | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $475K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $310 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,865 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 58/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 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: Plano's 1BR averages $1,400/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Plano 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 $475K in Plano. At a 20% down payment, that's a $29,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $15 more per month than Plano.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Plano, TX
Plano 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
Plano
Hot, humid subtropical. Summers (June-September) reach 95-98°F with 60-70% humidity. Winters are mild (50-65°F). Occasional ice storms; severe thunderstorms and tornado risk May-June.
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Plano top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Plano if…
- →You're a Tech workers
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Families seeking suburbs
- →You're a People avoiding state income tax
- →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 Plano or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Plano is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,865 in Plano vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $145/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Plano or Savannah?
Plano is more walkable with a Walk Score of 58/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Plano vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Plano has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $4,312/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Plano or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $475K in Plano — a $145,000 difference on the median home.