Moving from Arlington, TX to Charleston, SC
Relocating 1099 mi from Arlington to Charleston is a 20h 16m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1099 mi Β· 20h 16m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Charleston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.962 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 88.212 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.339 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 119.77 | 100.0 |
Arlington and Charleston sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $310,971 in Arlington to $589,607 in Charleston, a 2.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Charleston +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 44.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 67.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, CHARLESTON CITY, SC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 152,014 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 35.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.1% β $73,519 β $90,038 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Charleston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Charleston vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Charleston, SC from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 1099 mi and the route typically takes 20h 16m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Charleston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1099 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 Charleston compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $589,607 in Charleston vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 89.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Charleston compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,130 in the Charleston MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 374,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Charleston more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Charleston is 2.1% lower than Arlington (100.962 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Charleston, SC.