CostIndexUSA

Merced, CA vs Savannah, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Merced
98.3
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Savannah
95.2
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Savannah is slightly cheaper than Merced — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Merced, you would need $77,500 in Savannah. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+9.4%
Merced
78.6
Savannah
86
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Merced
105.2
Savannah
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.6%
Merced
105.3
Savannah
103.6
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Merced
95.3
Savannah
93.7
Utilities44.0%
Merced
158.3
Savannah
88.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Merced to see what you'd need to earn in Savannah to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Savannah, GA
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Savannah

Formula: salary × (95.2 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9685. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Merced, CA

Median Home Price
$410,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Savannah, GA

Median Home Price
$344,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Savannah has 9.4% higher housing costs compared to Merced.

Income & Job Market

Merced, CA

Median Household Income
$57,600
Per Capita Income
$32,800
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
Population
86,333
Top Industries
AgricultureEducationHealthcareGovernmentLogistics

Savannah, GA

Median Household Income
$75,200
Per Capita Income
$42,900
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
147,088
Top Industries
TourismMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Merced, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Savannah, GA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.