Savannah vs Atlanta: Which Is Better For Your Retirement?

Georgia is a popular destination for active adults looking to retire in the Southeast—and Savannah and Atlanta are two of the state’s biggest draws. So how do you know which city is better for you? Here’s some insight into Savannah vs. Atlanta to help you decide which might be best for your retirement.

Both cities are enticing to the 55+ crowd for many reasons, but they couldn’t be more different from one another. The coastal city of Savannah is steeped in rich history and moves at a leisurely, almost vacation-like pace. On the other hand, Atlanta is one of the largest cities in the Southeast with a fast pace and an endless list of entertainment options and cultural amenities.

Let’s take a closer look at what these cities have to offer 55+ homebuyers!

Geography and Population

Savannah is part of the Lowcountry—a stretch of land between Georgia and South Carolina that’s characterized by sea islands, marshland, and tidal basins. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Savannah has a population of about 148,000. Also, nearby cities include Hilton Head and Charleston.

Almost 250 miles away, Atlanta sits along the Chattahoochee River. The city is part of the state’s Piedmont region, which sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The capital’s population is about 499,000, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. However, it’s important to note that Atlanta is quite spread out. The Atlantic Regional Commission reported that around 5.3 million residents call Atlanta’s metro area home.

Climate

Although Savannah and Atlanta differ in almost every way, their climates are one trait where they’re relatively comparable. Atlanta’s annual temperatures reach an average of 70 degrees and a low of 53 degrees, according to U.S. Climate Data, while Savannah’s average temperatures are slightly higher, ranging from an average high of 77 degrees and an average low of 56 degrees. Both cities have short, mild winters and hot, humid summers, with temperatures frequently reaching the mid-90s.

Popular outdoor activities in Savannah include spending time at one of the city’s many parks and greenspaces, including Forsyth Park, the Wormhole State Historic Site, and Skidaway Park. Tybee Island is another go-to for residents who want to take advantage of good weather at one of the area’s beaches and all the surrounding water activities.

Atlanta residents can also be found enjoying the city’s parks and greenspaces when the weather is nice. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Stone Mountain Park, Piedmont Park, and the Atlanta BeltLine are some of the most visited outdoor sites in the area.

Cost of Living

The costs of living are dramatically different between the cities. According to Bestplaces.net, Atlanta is 25.6% more expensive than Savannah. Everything, from real estate and utilities to health care and groceries, has a higher price tag in the capital city. The cost of living in Atlanta is 13.3% higher than the national average. Savannah’s cost of living is 9.8% less than the U.S. average.

Atlanta’s housing costs are 58.3% more expensive than Savannah’s. Median home prices in Atlanta hover around $364,300, while Savannah’s are lower than the national average, sitting around $260,000.

Culture and Entertainment

What To Do in Savannah

Draped in Spanish Moss and steeped in history, Savannah is a city full of picturesque tree-lined streets, parks, and town squares. Around almost every corner, you’ll stumble upon historic sites dating back to the Revolutionary War or fascinating museums to visit. Also, art lovers can enjoy the SCAD Museum of Art.

Most days, you can find crowds perusing the unique shops, galleries, and restaurants along River Street and the Savannah City Market. For something a little quieter, residents can escape to one of the city’s greenspaces like Forsyth Park. Conveniently situated within 30 minutes of the Atlantic Coast and Tybee Island, Savannah also gives residents easy access to sandy, sun-drenched beaches and outdoor activities.

What To Do in Atlanta

It will come as no surprise that Georgia’s largest city is teeming with cultural amenities, trendy restaurants, entertainment options, and luxury shopping destinations. No matter what you’re passionate about, you’ll find something right for you.

Love art? Get tickets to the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) or the Atlanta Contemporary. Enjoy the performing arts? Plan a trip to Fox Theater, Buckhead Theatre, or Symphony Hall. Is shopping more your style? Meander through Atlantic Station, Lenox Square Mall, and Phipps Plaza. With several professional sports teams in the city, it’s also easy for residents to catch a game and cheer on the home team, no matter what sport you prefer.

Health Care and Education

When it comes to health care, both cities offer residents easy access to a variety of hospitals and providers, but Atlanta stands out for its nationally ranked hospitals, including Emory University Hospital and the Shepherd Center. The Emory University Hospital is nationally ranked in Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Cardiology, Heart Surgery, and Cancer, while the Shepherd Center is nationally ranked for rehabilitation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also calls the city home.

Atlanta has more than 50 colleges and programs in the area where residents can continue their education, including the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Spelman College, and Atlanta Technical College.

Savannah also features nationally ranked health care systems, including Memorial University Medical Center and the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System—an affiliate of Emory University Healthcare. The city also boasts the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion and the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute. For those interested in furthering their education, Savannah Technical College and Savannah College of Art and Design are great options.

55+ Communities in Savannah

Pooler

• The Fairways at Savannah Quarters
• Westbrook Villas at Savannah Quarters

Savannah

• Cottages at Autumn Lake
• The Landings on Skidaway Island

Richmond Hill

• Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood

55+ Communities in Atlanta

Acworth

• Brookstone Manor
• Cedar Crest Village
• Courtyards at Camden
• Grace
• Mars Hill Village
• The Artisan at Victory
• Westbrook
• Westside Farm at Cobblestone

Alpharetta

• Larkspur
• Orchards of Windward
• The Courtyards by the Manor
• The Orchards at Sweetapple

Braselton

• Del Webb Chateau Elan

Buford

• Lakecrest
• The Orchards of Park Ridge

Canton

• Brayden Park
• Cadence
• Courtyards at Hickory Flat
• Crescent Pointe at Great Sky
• Hickory Bluffs
• Lakeside at River Green
• Soleil Belmont Park
• Soleil Laurel Canyon
• The Gardens of Harmony North
• Villages at River Pointe

Cherokee County

• Lake Arrowhead

Conyers

• Creekside at Olde Town

Covington

• Cottage Links at Corrydell

Cumming

• Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge
• Creekstone Point
• Herrington
• Nestledown Farm
• Newbury
• Piedmont Corners
• Promenade at Sawnee Village
• The Courtyards at Post Road
• The Orchards of Brannon Oak Farm
• The Orchards of Central Park
• The Orchards of Habersham Grove
• The Orchards of South Forsyth
• The Orchards of Stoney Point
• The Villas at Bethelview
• Villas at Castleberry Township
• Wellstone
• Whisper Woods at Majors

Dacula

• Summit at Auburn Hills
• The Courtyards at Bailey Farms

Dallas

• Glynshyre
• Laurel Farms
• Old Mill Preserve
• Poplar Place
• The Villas at Blackberry Run
• Villages at Cedar Hill
• Windsong Manor

Douglasville

• The Haven at Slater Mill

Duluth

• Brookhaven at Sugarloaf
• Harris Orchards at Duluth

Flowery Branch

• The Retreat at Sterling on the Lake
• The Springs

Gainesville

• Cresswind at Lake Lanier
• Stephens Point

Grayson

• Aspen Grove

Greensboro

• Del Webb at Lake Oconee

Griffin

• Sun City Peachtree

Hampton

• Heritage Place

Hiram

• Echols Farm

Hoschton

• Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes
• Village at Deaton Creek

Jasper

• Grandview at Gateway
• Piedmont Village

Jefferson

• Northminster Farms
• Northminster Place

Johns Creek

• Brookhaven at Johns Creek

Jonesboro

• Spivey Village

Kennesaw

• Brookhaven of East Cobb
• Encore
• Falls Crest
• Kirk Ridge
• Serenade
• The Reserve at Bells Ferry
• Victoria Crossing

Loganville

• Kelly Preserve
• Seaboard Junction

Marietta

• 1825 Stilesboro
• Amelia Walk
• Barrett Preserve
• Courtyards at Ebenezer
• East Haven
• Edenton
• Gatherings at Greenhouse
• Grove Park
• Longleaf Battle Park
• McGinnis Farm
• Mount Calvary
• Pevensie Preserve
• Village Green at East Cobb

McDonough

• Meadows at Jodeco
• The Retreat at Westridge

Newnan

• Cresswind Spring Haven
• Oak Hill Reserve
• The Cottages at Lake Redwine
• The Gardens at Arbor Springs
• Timberbrook

Oakwood

• McEver Mill

Peachtree City

• Cresswind Peachtree City

Powder Springs

• Bel-Aire
• McConnell Green
• Silver Springs Village

Roswell

• The Orchards of Roswell

Snellville

• Gladstone Landing
• Saddlebrook
• Soleil Summit Chase

Social Circle

• Town Park

Suwanee

• Park Meadows
• The Overlook at Old Atlanta
• Westbrook Village

Winder

• Villas at Winder

Woodstock

• Cottages of Woodstock
• Glenhaven at Ridgewalk
• Heritage at Towne Lake
• Heron Pond
• Longleaf Woodstock
• Maple Grove at Towne Lake
• Marlowe
• Serenity
• Sweet Briar Farms
• The Orchards of East Cherokee
• The Villas at Mountain View
• The Villas at Presley Lake
• Windsong Clover Creek

55places Can Help You Retire in Georgia!

No matter which city is right for your retirement dreams, 55places is here to help them come true. We have an extensive network of real estate professionals to help you find the right home in the perfect community. Contact us today and start your homebuying journey in the Peach State!