Quick answer
Tempe costs $20/month less overall ($1,990 vs $2,010/mo). Tempe also has lower state income tax (2.5% vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Savannah vs Tempe
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
Savannah vs Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Savannah | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 ✓ | $1,850 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Median Home Price | $330K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 ✓ | $210 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $390 | $330 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,990 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.39% | 2.5% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Tempe's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Tempe charges 2.5% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $2,312/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $3,000 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Savannah are $330K vs $520K in Tempe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $38,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tempe utilities run $40 more per month than Savannah.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Savannah, GA
Savannah is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
Tempe
Hot and dry: 100-120°F June-August, 55-70°F Nov-Feb. Virtually no rain. Intense sun, low humidity, clear skies year-round.
Job Market
Savannah top industries
Tempe top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to Tempe if…
- →You're a Tech workers wanting California-quality jobs with 40% cheaper housing
- →You're a Students and recent graduates (ASU ecosystem)
- →You're a Remote workers who can handle extreme heat
- →You're a Anyone wanting low taxes, walkability, and affordable homeownership
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Tempe is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,990 in Tempe vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $20/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Savannah or Tempe?
Tempe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 71/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Savannah vs Tempe: which has lower state income tax?
Tempe has lower state income tax (2.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,312/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Savannah or Tempe better for buying a home?
Savannah has lower median home prices at $330K vs $520K in Tempe — a $190,000 difference on the median home.