Moving from Amarillo, TX to North Charleston, SC
The drive from Amarillo, TX to North Charleston, SC runs 1391 mi β about 24h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1391 mi Β· 24h 59m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | North Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.0% pricier overall in North Charleston than Amarillo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: North Charleston typical home at $309,522 is 10.0% above Amarillo at $206,787 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, North Charleston -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.3" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 52.5" |
Climate warms by 9.6Β°F on the annual average β 56.9Β°F β 66.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: North Charleston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | North Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 117,460 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $62,789 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 18.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.47 |
Household income lines up β $62,469 vs $62,789 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in North Charleston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,720 | $41,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,780 | $28,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 36,680 | $34,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,150 | $38,280 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,230 | $79,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and South Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Carolina's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in North Charleston average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: North Charleston averages 52.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in South Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is North Charleston more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in North Charleston is 10.0% higher than Amarillo (100.962 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in North Charleston compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is North Charleston, SC from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1391 mi and the route typically takes 24h 59m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to North Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in North Charleston compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,522 in North Charleston vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 49.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs North Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,789 in North Charleston vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 0.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· North Charleston, SC.