Moving from Charleston, SC to Arlington, TX
Relocating 1099 mi from Charleston to Arlington 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
| Charleston | Arlington | 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 roughly 2.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $589,607 to $310,971 moving to Arlington.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 36.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Charleston (67.2Β°F) and Arlington (66.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.81 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.1% lower in Arlington than Charleston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington 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 Arlington average 96Β°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 far is Arlington, TX from Charleston, SC?
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.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington 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.
Is Arlington more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 2.1% higher than Charleston (103.09 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Arlington?
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 Arlington compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 47.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 18.3% lower 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 Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Arlington, TX.