Moving from Charleston, SC to Allen, TX
Relocating 1095 mi from Charleston to Allen is a 20h 11m 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.
1095 mi Β· 20h 11m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Columbia, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.962 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Charleston (67.2Β°F) and Allen (65.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.1% β $90,038 β $129,130 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 16.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Allen more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 2.1% higher than Charleston (103.09 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 43.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Allen, TX from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1095 mi and the route typically takes 20h 11m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Allen, TX.