Moving from Charleston, SC to McAllen, TX
Relocating 1432 mi from Charleston to McAllen is a 26h 50m 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.
1432 mi Β· 26h 50m 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 10, I 65, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.9% moving from Charleston to McAllen β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $589,607 in Charleston to $229,001 in McAllen, a 14.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 18.7" |
Expect 8.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.9% β $90,038 β $60,165 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
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 McAllen average 98Β°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 McAllen, TX from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 1432 mi and the route typically takes 26h 50m via I 10 and I 65. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 33.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is McAllen more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.9% lower than Charleston (85.895 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 61.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1432 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· McAllen, TX.