Charleston, SC vs Savannah, GA - Is one better to live in? (living, best)

[SCarolinaLocal]

I work remotely and have been debating moving back to Charleston (I live in Greenville, SC now). I have been looking at rental prices in Charleston, and they have skyrocketed (I moved away from Chas in 2021, and the same apartment complex I lived in is now $1000 more today). So that got me thinking about Savannah, as rent is significantly better.

I’ve only been to Savannah once on a day trip, but I love the beauty of the SC/GA coast. I’m a single, mid-30s female and would like to get opinions from others if Savannah could be a good fit for me. I also love history and old architecture, hence why I love Chas so much.

Can anyone provide input as to the comparison of these two cities? TIA!

[Southern man]

https://www.city-data.com/ .
Go to Charleston and scroll way down and there is a cost of living tool that may give an indication. I ran it , comparing Charleston to Savannah using 50000 as base pay. It said you would need to make 51000+ in Savannah. For Beaufort you would need to make 47000+. Beaufort is a nice town.

[DSMRE]

Originally Posted by Southern man

//www.city-data.com/ .
Go to Charleston and scroll way down and there is a cost of living tool that may give an indication. I ran it , comparing Charleston to Savannah using 50000 as base pay. It said you would need to make 51000+ in Savannah. For Beaufort you would need to make 47000+. Beaufort is a nice town.

Only issue is, it hasn't been updated. It's a few years off.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by DSMRE

Only issue is, it hasn't been updated. It's a few years off.

Best I could do. Take a shot.

[sonofaque86]

The Charleston metro area is twice as large as Savannah and more expensive. The traffic is way heavier in Charleston, but it’s not like you’re in DC or Atlanta. It has more amenities (Top Golf, shopping on King St. etc) to offer for someone our age. I lived in Savannah (Port Wentworth) for a year and wasn’t impressed anymore after the first month. Charleston has more suburbs like N. Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant to look at. Charleston also has more beaches to visit versus just Tybee Island being close by, but Hilton Head isn’t far from Savannah. Both have much history. I say spend a few days in Savannah since you’re familiar with Charleston and go with your gut. But Charleston wins in my opinion of QOL.

[Need4Camaro]

I love them both but Charleston blew me away when I first saw it. I would probably choose Charleston. Not a slight to Savannah by any means, I love Savannah too but Charleston really surprised me.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by SCarolinaLocal

I work remotely and have been debating moving back to Charleston (I live in Greenville, SC now). I have been looking at rental prices in Charleston, and they have skyrocketed (I moved away from Chas in 2021, and the same apartment complex I lived in is now $1000 more today). So that got me thinking about Savannah, as rent is significantly better.

I’ve only been to Savannah once on a day trip, but I love the beauty of the SC/GA coast. I’m a single, mid-30s female and would like to get opinions from others if Savannah could be a good fit for me. I also love history and old architecture, hence why I love Chas so much.

Can anyone provide input as to the comparison of these two cities? TIA!

You do realize Savannah has that as well, right?

[Charlestondata]

Do you have a preference between booming and more laidback? The Washington Post did a story last week about 15 American “stand out” cities, compared to their relative states, for economic growth and percentage growth in employment over the last few years. Charleston was one of the 15, and employment and percentage growth-wise, South Carolina itself is booming.

[UptwnRsdnt]

Originally Posted by SCarolinaLocal

I work remotely and have been debating moving back to Charleston (I live in Greenville, SC now). I have been looking at rental prices in Charleston, and they have skyrocketed (I moved away from Chas in 2021, and the same apartment complex I lived in is now $1000 more today). So that got me thinking about Savannah, as rent is significantly better.

I’ve only been to Savannah once on a day trip, but I love the beauty of the SC/GA coast. I’m a single, mid-30s female and would like to get opinions from others if Savannah could be a good fit for me. I also love history and old architecture, hence why I love Chas so much.

Can anyone provide input as to the comparison of these two cities? TIA!

The Savannah metro is smaller than Charleston (and Greenville), but is growing quickly. Charleston is more white, preppy, wealthy and refined, while Savannah is more diverse, laid back, edgy. Charleston has the more established food scene, but Savannah has come a long way in recent years. Savannah does win on nightlife, as Charleston seems relatively quiet at night. I love Savannah's tree canopy, which I think Charleston is lacking. I always feel like the sun is beating down on me in Charleston. Tybee is Savannah's closest beach and Hilton Head is nearby. The other nearby Georgia islands (Little Tybee, Wassaw, Ossabaw, etc) are only accessible by boat and/or protected areas, vs the more developed beaches near Charleston. Also, Savannah seems to be spared by hurricanes more than Charleston because of how the GA coast curves in...

[Turnerbro]

Charleston offers way more as a metro area. However Savannah offers arguably just as much in terms of urbanity even more if you like the row homes for less money. Sort of depends if you want a bigger more cosmopolitan metro area or a smaller urban environment for less money.