Quick answer
St. Louis costs $430/month less overall ($1,580 vs $2,010/mo). St. Louis also has lower state income tax (Up to 4.95% vs 5.39%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Savannah vs St. Louis
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 St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Savannah | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $330K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $390 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.39% | Up to 4.95% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,450 in Savannah — a $350/month difference, or $4,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: St. Louis charges Up to 4.95% state income tax vs 5.39% in Savannah. On an $80K salary that's a $352/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,468 vs $5,940 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $330K in Savannah. At a 20% down payment, that's a $23,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Savannah utilities run $25 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Savannah, GA
Savannah is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Savannah
Subtropical: hot, humid summers (80–90°F); mild winters (40–55°F); significant rainfall; hurricane/tropical storm risk June–November
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Savannah top industries
St. Louis 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
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $2,010 in Savannah — a $430/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Savannah or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 45/100. Savannah is more car-dependent.
Savannah vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
St. Louis has lower state income tax (Up to 4.95%). On an $80K salary, that saves $352/year vs Savannah (5.39%).
Is Savannah or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $330K in Savannah — a $115,000 difference on the median home.