Moving from Charleston, SC to Orlando, FL
The 395 mi from Charleston to Orlando translate to about 7h 45m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
395 mi Β· 7h 45m by car Β· FL β GA β SC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 17, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, North Charleston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Orlando and Charleston is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Orlando is 0.5% below Charleston β $589,607 vs $374,136 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 51.5" |
Climate warms by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 67.2Β°F β 73.0Β°F.
Orlando 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, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.5% between Charleston and Orlando (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Orlando average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 395 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Orlando more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 0.5% higher than Charleston (101.418 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Orlando, FL from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 395 mi and the route typically takes 7h 45m via I 95 and US 17. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 23.1% 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· Orlando, FL.