Quick answer
Santa Fe costs $120/month less overall ($1,890 vs $2,010/mo). Santa Fe also has lower state income tax (4.9% vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Santa Fe 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
Santa Fe vs Savannah at a Glance
| Metric | Santa Fe | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $650K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $140 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $350 ✓ | $390 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,890 ✓ | $2,010 |
| Walk Score | 73/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 32/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.9% ✓ | 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: Santa Fe'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: Santa Fe charges 4.9% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $392/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $5,880 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $650K in Santa Fe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $64,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $30 more per month than Santa Fe.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe'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
Santa Fe
High desert with mild to warm summers (75°F average), cold winters (30°F average, 30 inches snow), intense sun, and low humidity (35%). Elevation 7,000 feet.
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Job Market
Santa Fe top industries
Savannah top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Santa Fe if…
- →You're a Artists and creative professionals
- →You're a Retirees with substantial savings
- →You're a Remote workers seeking inspiration
- →You're a Wellness and spirituality seekers
- →You want to live without a car
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 Santa Fe or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Santa Fe is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,890 in Santa Fe vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $120/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Santa Fe or Savannah?
Santa Fe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 73/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Santa Fe vs Savannah: which has lower state income tax?
Santa Fe has lower state income tax (4.9%). On an $80K salary, that saves $392/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Santa Fe or Savannah better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $650K in Santa Fe — a $320,000 difference on the median home.