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Savannah, Georgia Retirement Guide
Retirement Score
Savannah, Georgia at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $249,100
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; retirement income exclusion up to $65k.
- Avg January Low
- 43.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 95.7 (US avg = 100)
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 54 / 100
Overview
"Savannah, Georgia is a coastal Lowcountry retirement destination known for its preserved historic district, mild winters, and Georgia's generous retirement-income tax exclusion. Median home prices run around $370,000 and cost of living is roughly 4% below the national average. Georgia exempts up to $65,000 in retirement income per person 65+ and does not tax Social Security. Memorial Health and St. Joseph's/Candler anchor local care."
Savannah sits at the mouth of the Savannah River on the Atlantic coast, just inside the Georgia border. Founded in 1733, it retains one of the most preserved historic urban cores in the United States — 22 squares laid out in a grid pattern that has made the historic district a UNESCO-recognized landmark. The metro is roughly 16% age 65+, with strong retiree concentrations in Wilmington Island, Skidaway Island, and The Landings.
Georgia's retirement tax treatment is among the most generous in the country: Social Security is fully exempt, and retirees age 65+ can exclude up to $65,000 per person from other retirement income (plus a smaller exclusion for ages 62–64). Property tax rates are around 0.8%. Combined with median home prices around $370,000 — well below Charleston or Hilton Head — Savannah delivers strong after-tax math.
Healthcare is anchored by Memorial Health (a Level I trauma center and academic teaching hospital) and St. Joseph's/Candler. Specialist depth is solid; complex cases sometimes route to Charleston (90 min north) or Atlanta (4 hours west). Medicare Advantage plan availability is moderate.
The climate is warm and humid in summer (July high ~92°F) and mild in winter (January low ~40°F). Hurricane risk is real. Savannah is best for retirees who want walkable historic urban living, the Georgia retirement-income tax advantage, and Lowcountry coastal access at a meaningfully lower price point than Charleston.
Cost of Living
Affordability Metrics
Savannah's cost of living is 4.299999999999997% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.
Housing
Real Estate & Housing
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Savannah using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$540
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$606
Median home price used: $249,100
Median rent reference: $1,231 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Budget validation
Calculate if your savings last in this city
Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Savannah, Georgia after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.
Open the RetireFree Calculator →Healthcare
Access & Quality
Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Savannah scores 39.9 out of 100 for healthcare access.
Care planning link
Find local assisted living in Savannah
If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.
Assisted living in Savannah →Taxes
State Tax Climate
Georgia has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.
Climate
Weather & Environment
With 309 sunny days a year and an average January low of 43.4°F, Savannah offers a mild winter climate.
Safety & Walkability
Community Safety
Walkability
Demographics
Population Profile
Diversity Breakdown
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Savannah
Is Savannah, Georgia a good place to retire in 2026?▾
Savannah, Georgia is a coastal Lowcountry retirement destination known for its preserved historic district, mild winters, and Georgia's generous retirement-income tax exclusion. Median home prices run around $370,000 and cost of living is roughly 4% below the national average. Georgia exempts up to $65,000 in retirement income per person 65+ and does not tax Social Security. Memorial Health and St. Joseph's/Candler anchor local care.
What is the cost of living in Savannah, Georgia for retirees?▾
The cost-of-living index is 96, roughly 4% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $249,100.
Does Georgia tax Social Security or retirement income?▾
For Georgia residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; retirement income exclusion up to $65k.
What is the climate like in Savannah, Georgia?▾
Savannah, Georgia has January average low around 43°F, July average high around 91°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
What is healthcare access like in Savannah, Georgia?▾
Savannah scores 40/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).
How much does it cost to retire in Savannah, Georgia?▾
For a retired couple in a paid-off home, total monthly costs in Savannah run roughly $3,350 based on the cost-of-living index of 96. This includes property taxes, utilities, healthcare premiums, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending. Renters add roughly $1,200–$1,800/month for a 2-bedroom.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE SERVICES LLC
CHATHAM CAPITAL GROUP INC
ALPHA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
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