620 points. This is the minimum credit score required by most management companies in the Savannah rental market. What this number means is simple: if you exceed 620, the application process will proceed smoothly, but if you do not, additional conditions will apply.

According to data from Zumper (zumper.com) in July 2026, the average rent for a one-bedroom in Savannah is around $1,610. Due to its nature as a tourist city, rental prices are generally higher than in other small cities in Georgia, which also raises the income verification standards. It is common to require a monthly income of more than three times the rent, so for a rent of $1,610, the baseline monthly income would be over $4,830.

This situation has both advantages and disadvantages. While jobs in tourism and the port industry are relatively stable, making it easier to meet income standards, the high rent itself increases the monthly burden.

According to Apartments.com's renting guide, rental assessments consider credit score, income, rental history, and background checks together. This means that decisions are not made solely based on credit score, but it also implies that there will be more documents to prepare.

If your credit score is below 620, having a cosigner, paying an additional deposit of two to three times the normal amount, or enrolling in rental guarantee insurance like The Guardians or Insurent are realistic alternatives. This insurance structure guarantees payment to the landlord by the company on behalf of the tenant. The cost is reported to be between 4.5% and 10% of the annual rent. Conversely, having a credit score between 680 and 700 or higher may allow for more favorable conditions, such as reduced deposits.

If you are a newly immigrated family with a short credit history, looking into international credit history conversion services like Nova Credit or negotiating to pay several months' rent in advance could be options.

According to Georgia rental law, the maximum security deposit is two months' rent. The landlord must sign a list of damages with the tenant before receiving the deposit, and the received deposit must be managed in an escrow account within five business days. It must be returned within 30 days after move-out or a written notice of deductions must be provided. However, specific conditions may vary by county, so it is advisable to check again before signing a contract.

If you are moving to Savannah from another state, it is safer to recalculate property taxes or insurance based on Georgia standards rather than estimating based on your previous residence. For school districts preferred by Korean families, it is recommended to refer to ratings from GreatSchools or Niche, but be sure to verify the assigned school before signing a contract.

Standards can also vary between large management companies and individual landlords. Large management companies tend to apply standardized criteria with fewer exceptions, while properties managed by individual landlords may place more weight on stable employment history or references from previous landlords rather than just credit scores, allowing for more flexible judgments. Given the nature of a tourist city, there are also many individual landlords who operate both seasonal and long-term rentals, so it is necessary to check the criteria for each property separately.

Before looking for properties, checking your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com can help you correct unexpected errors or outdated delinquency records in advance. Applying to multiple properties in a short period can accumulate inquiry records, which may negatively impact your score, so it seems advantageous to narrow down your options before applying.

Ultimately, the number 620 does not determine everything. It is good to remember that if income, rental history, and background checks align, there may still be room for negotiation even if the score is somewhat lacking.

In Savannah, the supply of properties tends to vary between peak and off-peak seasons. During peak season, competition increases, so it is beneficial to prepare credit and income documents in advance.

This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to verify management company standards and Georgia rental laws with a professional before finalizing any contracts.