Is Savannah, GA cheaper or more expensive than Columbia, SC?

Savannah, GA (RPP 96.3) is more expensive than Columbia, SC (RPP 93.6) by about 2.9%.

What salary do I need in Savannah, GA if I earn $100,000 in Columbia, SC?

You would need approximately $102,885 in Savannah, GA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbia, SC. Formula: $100,000 x (96.3 / 93.6).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Columbia, SC or Savannah, GA?

For 2021-2022, Columbia, SC had a net gain of 5,576 people, while Savannah, GA had a net gain of 5,060 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Columbia, SC vs Savannah, GA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Columbia, SC and Savannah, GA. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Columbia, SC

Overall RPP (US=100): 93.6
Housing RPP: 78.9
Goods RPP: 94.6
2-BR median rent: $1,246/mo

South Carolina income tax up to 6.5%.

Savannah, GA

Overall RPP (US=100): 96.3
Housing RPP: 91.4
Goods RPP: 95.3
2-BR median rent: $1,445/mo

Georgia income tax 5.49% flat.

Equivalent salary

Savannah, GA is more expensive than Columbia, SC by about 2.9% (RPP 93.6 to 96.3).

$60,000 in Columbia, SC

-> $61,731

in Savannah, GA

$100,000 in Columbia, SC

-> $102,885

in Savannah, GA

$150,000 in Columbia, SC

-> $154,327

in Savannah, GA

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Columbia, SC vs Savannah, GA

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Columbia, SC

Net people: +5,576
Net rank: #19 of 65
Top origin share: 2%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Mecklenburg County, NC. Largest destination: Mecklenburg County, NC.

Savannah, GA

Net people: +5,060
Net rank: #20 of 65
Top origin share: 3%
Top destination share: 4%

Largest source: Liberty County, GA. Largest destination: Liberty County, GA.

Rent delta: Savannah, GA is $199/mo higher for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Columbia, SC. Housing RPP moves from 78.9 to 91.4.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Savannah, GA cheaper or more expensive than Columbia, SC?: Savannah, GA (RPP 96.3) is more expensive than Columbia, SC (RPP 93.6) by about 2.9%.
What salary do I need in Savannah, GA if I earn $100,000 in Columbia, SC?: You would need approximately $102,885 in Savannah, GA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbia, SC. Formula: $100,000 x (96.3 / 93.6).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Columbia, SC or Savannah, GA?: For 2021-2022, Columbia, SC had a net gain of 5,576 people, while Savannah, GA had a net gain of 5,060 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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