Moving from Charleston, SC to Killeen, TX
Relocating 1176 mi from Charleston to Killeen is a 21h 55m 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.
1176 mi Β· 21h 55m 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 | Waco, Tyler, Shreveport, Jackson, Tuscaloosa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Killeen at 91.132 vs Charleston at 100.962.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $589,607 to $219,957 moving to Killeen.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 34.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Charleston (67.2Β°F) and Killeen (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Killeen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.61 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.7% β $90,038 β $58,339 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 Killeen 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 Killeen, TX from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1176 mi and the route typically takes 21h 55m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 35.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1176 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Killeen more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 9.7% lower than Charleston (91.132 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 62.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Killeen, TX.