Charleston vs Savannah

Charleston (157,665 people) and Savannah (148,808) are close in size (Census, July 2024), and both downtowns are National Historic Landmark districts. Charleston has barrier-island beach towns such as Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island close by; Savannah's city code lets you carry a drink of 16 ounces or less in a marked downtown area. Every fact below is from a city, agency or organizer page.

• Cities2side by side
• Charleston157,665people, July 2024
• Savannah148,808people, July 2024
• Sources17official pages

The Short Answer

• Charleston city, SC population estimate July 1, 2024: 157,665; Savannah city, GA: 148,808 (U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city/town population estimates file, July 1, 2024; QuickFacts blocked automated access but uses the same estimates). source
• The Charleston Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark District on October 9, 1960; the Savannah National Historic Landmark District was designated by the Secretary of the Interior in 1966. source
• Savannah's code lets licensed bars sell one alcoholic drink in a paper or plastic cup (no more than 16 fluid ounces) to carry on streets inside a set downtown area. source
• Savannah's Belles Ferry across the Savannah River is free. source
• The Charleston Water Taxi sells a $17 all-day pass. source

Population

• Charleston city, South Carolina: 2020 estimates base 150,599; July 1, 2024 estimate 157,665 (U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city/town population estimates file, July 1, 2024; QuickFacts blocked automated access but uses the same estimates). source
• Savannah city, Georgia: 2020 estimates base 147,802; July 1, 2024 estimate 148,808 (U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city/town population estimates file, July 1, 2024; QuickFacts blocked automated access but uses the same estimates). source

Getting There

• Charleston International Airport (CHS) lists nonstop destinations including Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas / Fort Worth, Chicago, Boston and New York City; airlines named on the CHS site: Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United. CHS does not state a count. source
• Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) lists nonstop destinations served by Allegiant, Breeze, Delta, Southwest, jetBlue, American Airlines, United, Sun Country and Avelo, with many marked seasonal; SAV does not state a count. source

Historic Districts

• Charleston Historic District: National Historic Landmark District October 9, 1960; listed on the National Register October 15, 1966, with boundary increases January 30, 1970; July 16, 1978; and August 2, 1984. source
• Charleston was settled in 1670 (Charles Towne) and the state capital moved from Charleston to Columbia in 1788. source
• Savannah National Historic Landmark District was designated in 1966; its qualities include the Savannah Town Plan (Oglethorpe Plan) and the buildings built on it. source
• NPS: Savannah's plan has existed intact since the city's founding in 1733; 'Twenty-four tree-shaded, park-like open spaces called squares' are described as the essence of the city. source

Beaches

• Folly Beach: barrier island minutes from downtown Charleston with a fishing pier, Folly Beach County Park on the west end and surfing at The Washout. source
• Sullivan's Island: two-and-a-half-mile barrier island with Fort Moultrie and the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse. source
• Isle of Palms is 12 miles from downtown Charleston. source
• Tybee Island is a barrier island seven miles long, with North Beach, Mid Beach, South Beach and Back River Beach; Little Tybee Island is reachable only by boat. source

Drinking Rules

• Savannah Code Sec. 6-1214(b) (amended 2017, effective January 1, 2018): within the downtown area bounded by the Talmadge Bridge/West Boundary St., Jones Street, the railroad track east of Savannah River Landing and the river (plus city parts of Hutchinson Island), a Class C licensee may sell one drink per person in a paper or plastic cup; no can, bottle or glass. source
• Savannah: no person may possess an open container of alcohol over 16 fluid ounces on streets, sidewalks, parks, squares or other public places in that area; the rules apply during the Saint Patrick's Day Festival. source
• Charleston park rules: no person shall possess an open container or consume beer, wine or alcohol in a public park or playground in the City except at a group function with a Police Department permit. source

Signature Events

• Savannah St. Patrick's Day: the parade committee says Savannah's Irish Catholic community has celebrated the Feast of Saint Patrick since 1824; the day starts with 8:00am Mass on March 17 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, followed by a parade in historic downtown. source
• Charleston St. Patrick's Day parade (2025 city notice): starts 10:00 a.m. on King Street at Radcliffe Street, proceeds south to Broad Street and ends at Broad and Legare streets; estimated conclusion 11:30 a.m. source

Ferry and Water Taxi

• Savannah Belles Ferry: free service across the Savannah River between downtown's Riverwalk and Hutchinson Island (Savannah Convention Center), every 10 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day; dogs on a leash or in a carrier. source
• Charleston Water Taxi: departs hourly from Waterfront Park, Maritime Center, Patriots Point (USS Yorktown) and Charleston Harbor Resort; $17 all-day pass, kids 3 and under free; one-way fare $13. source

Lodging Taxes

• City of Charleston (Charleston County part): taxes on accommodations total 14.0%. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Sources

1. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2024/cities/totals/sub-est2024.csv
2. https://www.nps.gov/places/charleston-sc.htm
3. https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14276/To-Go-Cup-Ordinance-of-09-28-2017-9
4. https://catchacat.org/getting-around/zero-fare/savannah-belles-ferry/
5. https://www.charlestonwatertaxi.com/
6. Getting There
7. Getting There
8. Historic Districts
9. Historic Districts
10. Beaches
11. Beaches
12. Beaches
13. Beaches
14. Drinking Rules
15. Signature Events
16. Signature Events
17. Lodging Taxes

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.