How Much Does It Cost to Move to Savannah, GA? 2026 Relocation Cost Guide
License #389590 · August 2026 · 9 min read
The truck is only part of the bill · Photo for Luis Bruno, Realtor
If you are thinking about moving to Savannah, Georgia from another state, one of the biggest questions you probably have is:
How much money do I actually need to make this move?
The answer is usually more than just the price of the moving truck.
One of the most common mistakes I see with people relocating to Savannah is that they have money set aside for their down payment, but they forget about everything else.
- Closing costs
- The home inspection
- Moving expenses
- Hotels
- Storage
- Gas or airfare
- Homeowners insurance
- Possible flood insurance
- Utility deposits
- Furniture
- Repairs
- And sometimes paying for two homes at the same time because the dates did not line up perfectly
My name is Luis Bruno, a Savannah, Georgia Realtor with eXp Realty, LLC, Georgia Real Estate License #389590. I have been involved in Savannah-area real estate and helping people understand this market since 2016. A large part of my business today is helping families who are relocating to the Savannah area from another state.
After working with hundreds of buyers and families over the years, I can tell you that the cost of the actual house is only part of the relocation budget.
Let’s break it down.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Savannah, GA From Another State?
There is no single answer because your moving cost depends on four big things:
- Where you are moving from
- How much stuff you own
- Whether you move yourself or hire movers
- What time of the year you move
Current 2026 moving data shows just how different the numbers can be.
For example, current full-service moving estimates for people moving into Georgia range roughly from:
- Florida to Georgia: $1,010 to $5,000
- New York to Georgia: $1,230 to $5,890
- Texas to Georgia: $1,320 to $6,720
- Illinois to Georgia: $1,240 to $6,600
- Colorado to Georgia: $1,380 to $7,670
- California to Georgia: $1,490 to $8,730
Those ranges generally cover smaller homes through about three-bedroom homes. Larger homes, packing services, storage, special items, and other services can push the cost much higher. Your exact price to Savannah will depend on your starting city and your household.
DIY Moving vs. Hiring Professional Movers
Take a look at the moving-cost chart included with this article.
Planning example only. This is a general long-distance comparison, not a Savannah-specific quote.
The chart compares estimated DIY moving costs versus full-service professional movers from 12 major U.S. cities.
I want to make one thing clear. The chart is a general long-distance moving comparison and is not labeled as being specifically to Savannah. So I would use it as a planning example, not as an actual quote for your move.
But it does show something important.
The difference between doing everything yourself and paying someone to pack, move, and unload your belongings can be thousands of dollars.
For example, the chart estimates:
- New York City: about $1,800 to $2,800 DIY versus $7,500 to $12,000 full-service
- Los Angeles: about $3,800 to $5,800 DIY versus $15,000 to $22,500 full-service
- Chicago: about $2,100 to $3,200 DIY versus $7,800 to $12,500 full-service
- Houston: about $1,900 to $3,000 DIY versus $7,200 to $11,500 full-service
- Miami: about $900 to $1,600 DIY versus $5,200 to $8,500 full-service
Again, these are estimates from the chart, not Savannah-specific quotes.
The lesson is simple.
How you choose to move can change your relocation budget by several thousand dollars.
A rental truck may look much cheaper, but remember to add fuel, insurance, equipment, hotels, food during the trip, and the time and work needed to load and unload everything yourself.
The Bigger Expense Most Buyers Forget: Buying the House
Here is where people relocating to Savannah sometimes get caught off guard.
They might tell me:
“I have $20,000 saved for the move.”
That sounds like a lot until we start breaking down what buying the house itself may require.
Your down payment and your closing costs are two different things.
Freddie Mac says down payments commonly range from about 3% to 20%, depending on the loan and the buyer’s situation. Closing costs commonly run another 2% to 5% of the purchase price.
Let’s use a $350,000 Savannah-area home as an example.
HUD says FHA loans can allow a minimum down payment of 3.5% for qualified borrowers.
Eligible VA buyers may also be able to purchase with no down payment, although they can still have closing costs and other expenses. VA rules state that VA itself does not require a down payment when certain requirements are met, although a lender may have its own requirements.
So someone buying a $350,000 house with 5% down could potentially be looking at:
This does not mean every buyer will pay that amount. Seller concessions, lender credits, builder incentives, loan programs, and other factors can change the amount dramatically.
But this is why I tell out-of-state buyers not to look at the down payment by itself.
Closing Costs Are Not the Same as Cash to Close
This is another important difference.
Your closing costs are the fees connected to your mortgage and closing.
Your cash to close is the total amount you actually need to bring to closing after everything has been calculated.
Freddie Mac specifically warns buyers about this difference.
Closing costs can include things such as:
- Lender fees
- Appraisal
- Attorney and title expenses
- Recording fees
- Prepaid homeowners insurance
- Property tax escrows
- Prepaid interest
- Other mortgage-related costs
Your lender should give you a much more accurate number once you have a property under contract.
Don’t Forget the Home Inspection
A home inspection is another expense that normally happens before closing.
Freddie Mac estimates a typical home inspection at around $300 to $500, although the price can change depending on the property and services ordered.
You may also decide to order additional inspections depending on the property.
The important thing is to have money available for these expenses before closing.
Moving Quotes Can Grow Quickly
Another common relocation mistake is looking at the first number on a moving quote and assuming that is your final price.
Long-distance moves can have extra charges for things such as:
- Packing
- Packing materials
- Storage
- Stairs
- Elevators
- Long distances between the truck and the house
- Special furniture or heavy items
- Insurance or additional coverage
- Vehicle transportation
- Guaranteed delivery dates
Current moving data shows that these extras can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the move.
Ask exactly what is included before you sign anything.
For interstate moves, you should also verify the moving company and understand whether your estimate is binding or non-binding. Federal moving rules require interstate movers to provide certain information about estimates, charges, and your rights.
Storage and Temporary Housing Can Become a Big Problem
This is one of the most common issues I see with people who are moving from another state and also selling a home.
Your current home might close on Friday.
Your Savannah home might not close until the following Thursday.
Now you suddenly need somewhere to sleep for six nights.
Your furniture may also need somewhere to go.
You may need:
- A hotel or short-term rental
- Storage
- Extra moving days
- Pet boarding
- Extra meals
- Another rental vehicle
If you are selling a house before buying in Savannah, try to build some flexibility into your timeline and budget.
A perfect closing-to-closing schedule is great when it happens.
I just would not build your entire relocation plan assuming everything will happen perfectly.
Moving During Summer Can Cost More
Timing also matters.
Moving companies are generally busiest during the summer months, especially from May through September. Current moving data shows that peak-season pricing can be noticeably higher, and availability can become tighter.
That matters in Savannah because a large number of families relocate during the summer before the school year starts.
If your schedule is flexible, ask moving companies whether changing the day or week would lower your quote.
Savannah Buyers Should Also Think About Flood Insurance
This is one expense that someone moving from inland areas may not think about.
Savannah is a coastal market.
That does not mean every Savannah home requires flood insurance.
It depends on the property and its flood zone.
Chatham County explains that lenders use FEMA flood maps when determining flood insurance requirements. Homes inside certain high-risk flood areas may require flood insurance when the mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender.
This is something I recommend checking while you are shopping for homes, rather than waiting until the week before closing.
Two homes with the same purchase price can have different insurance costs.
Another Cost People Forget: The First 30 Days After Moving
Closing is not where your spending ends.
Think about everything people normally buy immediately after moving into a house:
- Blinds
- Curtains
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Lawn equipment
- Tools
- Security systems
- Internet installation
- Small repairs
- Paint
- Shelving
- Moving boxes
- Cleaning supplies
None of those expenses individually may seem huge.
But together they can add up quickly.
This is why I would rather see a buyer keep some money available after closing instead of using every dollar they have just to get the keys.
A Simple Savannah Relocation Budget
If you are buying a house while relocating to Savannah, your real budget should look something like this:
- Down payment
- Closing costs and prepaids
- Inspections
- Moving company, rental truck, or moving container
- Fuel, airfare, hotels, and travel
- Temporary housing or storage if needed
- Insurance and utility setup
- Money left over after closing
That is a much more realistic way to calculate the cost of moving to Savannah, Georgia.
What Are the Biggest Moving Mistakes I See?
After years of working with people relocating to the Savannah area, these are some of the biggest problems I see:
So, How Much Money Should You Have Before Moving to Savannah?
There is no perfect number.
Someone moving from Jacksonville with a one-bedroom apartment and a VA loan is going to have a completely different budget from someone moving a four-bedroom home from California and putting 20% down.
That is why I recommend separating your money into two different buckets:
Then leave yourself a third bucket:
That gives you a much clearer picture of whether you are actually financially ready to relocate.
Moving to Savannah, Georgia?
If you are planning on moving to Savannah, Georgia, I help out-of-state buyers understand the area before making the move.
That includes Savannah as well as nearby areas such as Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon, Guyton, and other parts of the Savannah metro area.
We can look at home prices, commute times, property taxes, flood zones, insurance questions, new construction communities, resale homes, and the areas that make the most sense based on what you are trying to accomplish.
I have been working in the Savannah-area real estate market since 2016, and a large part of my business is now focused specifically on helping people who are moving here from another state.
Luis Bruno, REALTOR®
Savannah, Georgia Realtor
eXp Realty, LLC
Georgia Real Estate License #389590
If you are planning the move and want help lining up the home search with the real budget, I can walk you through it.
Book a callFrequently Asked Questions About Moving to Savannah, GA
For the physical move alone, it can range from around $1,000 to several thousand dollars depending on your starting location, home size, and whether you use a rental truck, container, or full-service moving company. Cross-country moves involving larger homes can cost much more. Current state-to-Georgia moving data shows full-service costs reaching roughly $5,000 to $9,000 or more depending on the route and household size.
A common planning range is approximately 2% to 5% of the purchase price, although your actual costs can be lower or higher. On a $350,000 home, 2% to 5% would equal approximately $7,000 to $17,500.
No. Freddie Mac says down payments can range from around 3% to 20% depending on the mortgage program and borrower. FHA loans can allow 3.5% down for qualified borrowers, and qualified VA buyers may be able to purchase with no down payment.
Not every home requires flood insurance. It depends on the property’s flood zone and your financing. Chatham County states that homes in certain high-risk flood zones with federally regulated or insured mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Usually, yes. A rental truck normally costs less than hiring full-service movers, but remember to include gas, insurance, equipment, hotels, food, and your own time and labor when comparing the two options.
Disclaimer: Moving costs, mortgage requirements, closing costs, insurance costs, taxes, and loan programs can change. The numbers in this article are general estimates for planning purposes and are not a moving quote, mortgage quote, or guarantee. Always get current estimates from your lender, insurance company, closing attorney, and moving company before making a financial decision.