CostIndexUSA

Santa Cruz, CA vs Savannah, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Savannah
95.2
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Savannah is moderately cheaper than Santa Cruz — 13.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Cruz, you would need $69,300 in Savannah. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.7%
Santa Cruz
164.3
Savannah
86
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Santa Cruz
105.2
Savannah
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.6%
Santa Cruz
105.3
Savannah
103.6
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Santa Cruz
95.3
Savannah
93.7
Utilities42.0%
Santa Cruz
152.7
Savannah
88.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Savannah, GA
$69,300
$10,700 less needed in Savannah

Formula: salary × (95.2 ÷ 109.9) = salary × 0.8662. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Savannah, GA

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

Santa Cruz has 47.7% lower housing costs compared to Savannah.

Income & Job Market

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

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).

Santa Cruz, 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.