Savannah's the story this week. Unemployment there fell from 3.0% to 2.7%, per BLS, the sharpest drop on this list. Atlanta's close behind, down from 3.5% to 3.2%. More people working in both cities. That's the good news, and it's real.
Here's the part that eats into it. Gas is up 3.8% everywhere in the state, AAA's got it at $4.06 a gallon now versus $3.91 before. Doesn't matter if you live in Savannah, Atlanta, or anywhere else in Georgia, you're paying more to drive to that job you're glad to have.
Housing's easing a little, which helps. Georgia's median listing price dropped 1.3% to $394,000 statewide, and Savannah's own listing price fell 1.2% to $399,990. Rent in both cities barely budged, Atlanta up a hair to $1,853, Savannah flat at $1,789. Home values are basically flat too, drifting down by a few tenths of a percent in Atlanta and Savannah alike.
Add it up and Savannah looks like the best-positioned spot on this table right now. Lower unemployment, cheaper listings, flat rent. Gas still costs more there like everywhere else, but the job and housing numbers are moving the right direction at the same time, and that combination is rare enough to notice.
- Savannah's unemployment rate fell from 3.0% to 2.7% in July 2026, per BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
- Atlanta's unemployment rate fell from 3.5% to 3.2% in July 2026, per BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
- Georgia's regular gas price rose 3.8% to $4.06 a gallon as of September 17, 2026, per AAA's state average.
- Georgia's median listing price fell 1.3% to $394,000 in August 2026, per FRED / realtor.com.
- Savannah's median listing price fell 1.2% to $399,990 in August 2026, per FRED / realtor.com.
- Georgia's statewide unemployment rate fell from 3.4% to 3.3% in July 2026, per BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.