Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Savannah
Georgia
Pop. 147,583

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
70
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Savannah wins 3–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Savannah wins 0–3 overall (70/100)
💰 Savannah is more affordable
💼 Savannah has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Savannah — The Verdict

Savannah scores 70.2/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Savannah has a clear edge with home prices 33% lower. Savannah may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Savannah are 33% lower — a difference of $101,200 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Savannah saves you $98/month — that's $1,176 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $16,925 more per year (31% higher median income).
📊
Savannah has a 1.0 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
💰 Chicago vs Savannah: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
80
Median Home Value
$304,500
$203,300
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,216
Median Income
$71,673
$54,748
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Savannah offers home prices 33% lower than Chicago, translating to $101,200 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Chicago vs Savannah: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Savannah having a slight edge at 3.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Chicago vs Savannah: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Savannah: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
60
53 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Savannah: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Savannah: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
12
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Savannah: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Savannah cheaper to live in?
Savannah is more affordable overall. Home prices are $101,200 lower in Savannah. Monthly rent is $1,216 in Savannah vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Savannah have better weather?
Savannah scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Savannah better for finding a job?
Savannah currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 3.6% in Savannah. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $54,748 in Savannah.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Savannah?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 12 in Savannah. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Savannah.
Should I move from Chicago to Savannah?
Based on our data, Savannah scores 70.2/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Savannah is more affordable, while Savannah has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.